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

A Love Supreme

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

2

Saxophone Colossus

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

3

Giant Steps

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

4

Soul Station

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

5

Charlie Parker with Strings

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

6

Karma

Pharoah Sanders's 1969 spiritual tenor-saxophone epic with 'The Creator Has a Master Plan'.

7

The Shape of Jazz to Come

Ornette Coleman's 1959 alto-saxophone revolution that transformed jazz.

8

Speak No Evil

Wayne Shorter's 1964 tenor-saxophone post-bop masterpiece.

9

Getz/Gilberto

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

10

Body and Soul

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

11

Somethin' Else

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

12

Officium

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

13

The Epic

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

14

Wish

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