I'm looking for some (preferably, but not necessarily solo) sax recordings. The closest I can come to describing the sound I'm looking for is the kind you might hear someone playing off in the distance on downtown streets late at night in a big city. Smooth, somewhat mournful-sounding, yet uplifting, and sounding as though it was recorded in a large, empty space. Some of Coltrane's early recordings nail this sound, a prime example being the first track on "Lush Life", which has a sample clip here: http://www.amazon.com/Lush-Life-John-Coltrane/dp/B000EGDAHA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1214453569&sr=1-1.
If anyone knows of any other tracks or albums that fit this description, it would be much appreciated.
The only solo sax albums that I have ever heard, or heard of are avant garde in style.
It seems to me that you are searching for players with, whats called, a "big tone".
The previous answer sited the best and biggest tone, Dexter Gordon's Ballads album. The Ballads collection is perfect for what your looking for.
You should also check out David "Fathead" Newman. Start with his Chillin' album. He was also Ray Charles tenor sax man.
Ike Quebec did some great stuff for Blue Note Records. Try his Blue and Sentimental album.
Coleman Hawkins has a great big tone on his Night Hawk album. It also has another great tenor sax player, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis. Davis does not sound like what your searching for, but he and Hawkins compliment each other well.
Joe Lovano is a current master. He plays in various settings. The album that would best fit what you are describing is his Joyous Encounter, and his Live at the Village Vanguard (I was at that show).
I also agree that Sonny Rollins is a good pick. I think his Way Out West album is the closest in style to what you are seeking.
I also agree that Joe Henderson is a good pick. He has an album Called Lush Life. Its all Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn songs. Its a great album, and fits your description well.
PS- I can't help but think that you might like Johnny Hodges. Hodges was a big influence on Coltrane's early playing, according to an interview Coltrane gave. Hodges also was Ellington's go to alto sax player. He played on Duke's versions of Lush Life, the ones Coltrane admired. I would suggest the Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges album called Back to Back, which is a small band album.
The alto doesn't have the "big tone" that the tenors do, of course, but he has a lot to do with the description of both Coltrane's earl sound, and the song Lush Life.
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John Coltrane - Lush Life
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