What is the best saxophone-led jazz album of all time?

The saxophone is jazz's soul instrument, and these albums showcase its full range — from Sonny Rollins's muscular swing to John Coltrane's spiritual quests and the raw power of Ornette Coleman.

1. 1
   A Love Supreme

   John Coltrane's 1964 tenor-saxophone masterpiece — the genre's ultimate statement.
2. 2
   Saxophone Colossus

   Sonny Rollins's 1956 album — raw tenor saxophone invention at its peak.
3. 3
   Giant Steps

   John Coltrane's 1960 harmonic labyrinth — saxophonists still study it today.
4. 4
   Soul Station

   Hank Mobley's 1960 quartet album — tenor sax hard bop with effortless grace.
5. 5
   Charlie Parker with Strings

   Bird's 1950 orchestral album — bebop's genius in a lush setting.
6. 6
   Karma

   Pharoah Sanders's 1969 spiritual tenor-saxophone epic with 'The Creator Has a Master Plan'.
7. 7
   The Shape of Jazz to Come

   Ornette Coleman's 1959 alto-saxophone revolution that transformed jazz.
8. 8
   Speak No Evil

   Wayne Shorter's 1964 tenor-saxophone post-bop masterpiece.
9. 9
   Getz/Gilberto

   Stan Getz's cool tenor sax floating over João Gilberto's bossa nova — 1964 perfection.
10. 10
    Body and Soul

    Coleman Hawkins's definitive tenor-saxophone statement — the 1939 solo that changed jazz.
11. 11
    Somethin' Else

    Cannonball Adderley's 1958 alto-saxophone classic with Miles Davis.
12. 12
    Officium

    Jan Garbarek's 1994 ECM album with the Hilliard Ensemble — saxophone meets medieval chant.
13. 13
    The Epic

    Kamasi Washington's 2015 triple-album saxophone statement for a new century.
14. 14
    Wish

    Joshua Redman's 1993 quartet album with Pat Metheny — modern tenor saxophone brilliance.