Charlie Parker, one of the most influential and impressive jazz players of the 1940s, was known for his ability to churn out notes at a rapid speed. "The Bird" is probably the most famous jazz sax player of all time. Cannonball Adderley from Tallahassee, Florida became a popular success in New York, which led to some groundbreaking work with jazz greats such as Miles Davis. Art Pepper, who was often called the champion of the alto saxophone, was an iconic player whose troubles with the law and heroin led him to many dark but interesting musical periods.
James Moody was partially deaf at birth, but still established himself as a prominent musician on several instruments, including the alto sax. Moody is best known for the improvisational-heavy "I'm in the Mood for Love" from 1949. Candy Dulfer made her mark as an alto sax player with a funk-infused sound. Her resume includes some work with Prince, who name-drops her in the song "Life O the Party." Lou Marini doesn't stick to alto sax, but few sax players were seen more in the late '70s and early 80s. Marini was the sax man for the Blues Brothers band and movies, and the original "Saturday Night Live" band.
Rock records don't often feature saxophones, but some players have stood out. Sonny Rollins played on the famous Rolling Stones song "Waiting on a Friend." Branford Marsalis was part of Sting's jazz band and performed solos on songs like "Fortress Around Your Heart." LeRoi Moore was the sax player in the Dave Matthews Band. Moore, who died from injuries suffered in an ATV accident, played a variety of saxophones and instruments. Jeff Coffin from Bela Fleck and the Flecktones also played with Dave Matthews. He is best known for his ability to play two saxophones at once.
Paul Brodie is regarded as one of the best classical saxophonists of all time. Brodie played more than 3,000 concerts with 34 orchestras in 17 countries, James Houlik, another famous classical player, initially played tenor saxophone until he switched the alto sax. Jennifer Bill used the alto to produce a rare take on chamber music, and Yusheng Li, a Canadian artist, popularized the alto saxophone in China.