Tenor Titans
Tracing Half a Century of Jazz Saxophone Evolution: Featuring Coleman Hawkins, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, Wayne Shorter and More
The tenor saxophone, a pivotal instrument in Jazz, has significantly shaped the genre’s evolution over the past half-century. The 1992 documentary “Tenor Titans,” narrated by the acclaimed musician Branford Marsalis, provides an insightful exploration into this journey.
Burrill Crohn, the writer, producer, and director of the film, brings together a constellation of Jazz’s brightest stars. The documentary features the pioneering sounds of Coleman Hawkins, Bud Freeman, and Georgie Auld, as well as the transformative styles of John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, and Sonny Rollins.
Moreover, “Tenor Titans” includes rare footage of other renowned saxophonists such as Don Byas, Ben Webster, Lester Young, Wardell Gray, Warne Marsh, Zoot Sims, Stan Getz, Paul Gonsalves, Eric Dixon, Sal Nistico, Frank Foster, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Sam “The Man” Taylor, Illinois Jacquet, Dexter Gordon, Charles Rouse, Archie Shepp, and David Murray. This makes it a treasure trove for Jazz enthusiasts.
“Tenor Titans” offers a unique perspective on the tenor saxophone’s role in Jazz, capturing the essence of its legends and their music. It serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of Jazz or the evolution of the tenor saxophone.
Join us as we delve into this fascinating piece of Jazz history.
Keep listening, keep dreaming, keep swinging!