The baritone saxophone:
Sounds (only) one octave lower than the alto saxophone. Contrary to what the Amazon "reviewers" may have written, it is not "harder" to play than the other, higher pitched saxophones. Yes, it is clearly more cumbersome to handle due to its size; but, in some respects it is actually easier to play. The size of the instrument demands a larger volume of air, but that very larger size makes it less resistant when one actually blows into it; especially the lowest range on the instrument which, by comparison, are much more resistant (require more effort from the player) on the higher pitched instruments. By extension, one would think the soprano saxophone is easier to play than the alto and tenor; but, this is definitely not the case, with the soprano putting huge demands on the player as far as playing certain notes in tune. This idea is a popular myth, and at the end of the day, no instrument (even across different families of instruments) is "harder" to play than another; they each bring very different challenges to the table. How and why a player chooses to play a particular saxophone as opposed to another has a lot to do with finding one's "voice". Often, a player, consciously or unconsciously, simply gravitates toward a certain frequency range (low, mid, high) as the one that best defines his "voice" as a player. Additionally, the sheer physical size of the player has a role in the process; a player very short in stature is unlikely to feel comfortable handling the larger instrument.
Alex, thanks for the clips; I especially liked the Chaloff clips. He was a terrific player coming out of the "cool" school. I take exception, however, with the quoted reviewer's (another example of problems with "reviewers") characterization of Chaloff's sound as being like Harry Carney's. I don't think it is anything like Carney's. Carney had the quintessential baritone sound. His sound was huge and incredibly rich and one that would actually define, more than anything, the sound of the entire reed section in Ellington's band; an amazing thing when one thinks about it. He played with a fast constant vibrato which was fairly typical for pre-bebop style sensibility.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0OHdxOhUAaACarney was great stylist and unique voice. Chaloff's style was a product of the new direction that jazz was going in; towards a more advanced and sophisticated harmonic sense in improvisation. He was definitely influenced by Bird's bebop style, but with a leaning toward the "cool" of the West Coast sound as best exemplified by Gerry Mulligan.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7DCQVyD3whMI know there will be disagreement on this point, but I think the idea of the "forgotten player" or the player that "didn't get his due" is mainly overstated and often a myth. If we look at players' careers in the context of an evolving art form and changing times it's not difficult to understand why soem players become famous and some do not; or, more accurately, don't stand the test of time. Example: Leo Parker. Nice player, playing the baritone at a time when the music had evolved into hard-bop with its much more sophisticated harmonic language which placed many more demands on a player. Parker sounded good playing the relatively simple style of the easy and relaxed twelve bar blues. Compared to stalwarts like Pepper Adams, and on complex bebop harmonic changes, not so good. So, who then will stand the test of time and become (or deserve to be) "famous"? Not that players like Parker were not good players, but they had limitations as players and could not rise to the top in a climate where, not only was the music placing more and more artistic and virtuosic demands on players, but the BUSINESS of music was making it much more difficult for anyone (and their recordings) other than the very best to stay in the limelight. Pepper Adams was a giant who served as a model for the new crop of baritone saxophonists:
Gary Smulyan:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IS2bezPSBh8Nick Brignola:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EfLE-0YDj34Ronnie Cuber:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1O7Q0iHms_ohttps://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2TVnF-QkE2E
