IYHO, what do you think is the best sax in jazz?
saxophoneforum.myfreeforum.org

I`d love to say bari, since that`s what I play. I mean, w/out the bari, your lower end sounds kinda empty. But since you want honesty, I`d have to go w/ the alto. I mean, Parker played it, and that in itself has to make it the best type for jazz.

That`s actually a loaded question. Different arrangments present applications for tenor, alto and soprano sax as well as bari. Actually, I`m a trumpet player, but I have a brother who`s a professor of saxophone, has taken first prize in international jazz sax open division improvisation competition judged by Jamie Abersold, Jerry Coker and Denis DiBlasio, and plays in the neighborhood of 200 gigs per year. The CD that`s his debut as a leader is entitled Abstractions, Dedications and Red Dirt, available thru CoJazz.com.

i like the alto, and tenor. they are the only ones i've played. i like the tenor over the alto really. i think the bari would be fun to play. and soprano maybe. but i like low sounding instruments over high ones.

The bari is the best jazz sax for many reasons, but the reason i like it most is it is wonderful doing bass parts and can switch to a solo with out any trouble. The tone of the bari rocks it is so mellow and yet so raw. (and it does kill your ears with high picted notes that is unless you are playing altissimo.)

tenor, one word............range