For me there are two--I have a jazz side and a commercial side . . . On the jazz side is Hank Mobley . . . didn't have the fastest chops out there, but always had great ideas harmonically. Studying his solo on "Tenor Conclave" years ago gave me the tools to competently improvise over Rhythm changes. On the commercial side is Tom Scott, the whole reason I wanted to study beyond my high school years and become a professional. Musicians in the know can hear that influence in my commercial and funk playing.

i like very much the grover washington jr.he have a "cool"sound specialy with the tenor, good phrasing sense and good use of harmonics.listen the "gramercy park" "just the two of us" "litlle black samba".generally i prefer the cool dark tenors(stan getz,dexter gordon ben webster)with easy going solos but smooth and non-stress solos.

What an interesting discussion you started here Michael. I was thinking about whether to try to answer with one name, but find that to be impossible. Early on, playing the tenor sax, I would try to play along with rock 'n' roll solos. So many great rock songs feature a solo sax break. The one that comes to mind right now is Woolly Bully by Sam The Sham and The Pharohs. Got to where I could nail that solo, even down to the sour note! Later on, I began to listen to older jazz and discovered Zoot Sims. Another writer spoke of his inate sense of rhythm. He even had an album called The Swinger late in his career - swinging meaning sense of rhythm. He had a very good improvisational ability and a great tone. I used to try to play along with some of my jazz records. Not just Zoot, but Stan Getz, Lester Young, The Sonnys (Stitt and Rollins), Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane, Al Cohn among other tenor men. Other sax guys I listened to: Charlie Parker, Lee Konitz, Gerry Mulligan, Paul Desmond and Johnny Hodges. And oh yeah, Ben Webster and Wayne Shorter. I have left out many fine saxophonists of the past, but they all influenced me I guess.

i really like michael brecker and chris potter. they both have technique that is so amazing. and breckers sound is kind of what i am incorporating into my own playing, its gorgeous. i just heard berganzi for the first time and am so intrigued by his playing, i want to work on transcribing some of his stuff when i can get a CD

Michael- Since you like Young, I'm sure you must also appreciate Zoot Sims. I hope all the younger guys don't forget to listen to Zoot. His inate sense of rhythm never left him even in his later years. Improvisational phrasing and quality was outstanding and Zoot's tone was quite pleasing to me. He is the tenor guy I listened to most when I was first learning to play. Other saxophonists of early influence included: John Coltrane, Gerry Mulligan, Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins. Johnny Hodges, Stan Getz, Lester Young, Dexter Gordon, Paul Gonsalves, Sal Nistico and even Woody Herman - among many others that I listened to and played along with (as best I could) when I was younger. I have quite a library of jazz albums that I've saved and cherished. Check out the discussion titled Who Inspired You - elsewhere in this forum. - Later.