Who's the best saxophonist you've ever heard play live?

Ornette in a band with 3(!) bassists, utterly focused, uncluttered and clear.
Steve Lacy at the gig that became The Rent, doesn't capture his sound which is surprisingly big.
Dewey R with Keith Jarrett, records don't get his sound either
Sonny R a bunch of times, always moments of greatness at least
John Gilmore with Ra several times, amazing and versatile

 

Dana Robbins

 

It's a tie - Wayne Shorter leading his own band at the Montreal Jazz Festival and Clarence Clemmons many times all over North America.

 

Brecker
Chris Potter

Ravi C. And Billy Harper (With McCoy Tyner)
LeRoi Moore (RIP)

 

Wayne Shorter (duo with Herbie Hancock at the Ryman)
Kenny Garrett (with Corea/McLaughlin/Christian McBride/Brian Blade sitting in for Vinnie Colaiuta (5 Peace Band) at Schermerhorn)

 

I met Clarence Clemons when he came to my grade school in NJ, many moons ago. Big Man, indeed.

 

Haven’t heard may Jazzmen but I have been fortunate enough to catch Clarence Clemons a few times. I heard him play a Jungleland twice in the Reunion era. I have to say those are my two greatest concert experiences ever and I’ve been to a lot of gigs.

 

Sonny Rollins
Michael Brecker
Dewey Redman
Joshua Redman

 

Pharoah Sanders
Hank Crawford

 

Joe Maneri
(I was going to say Evan Parker, but he's been mentioned so much, it seemed unnecessary !)

 

George Coleman, who recorded with Miles, Herbie Hancock and others, playing with Harold Mabern at my local library in the mid 80s

 

A few years ago whenever I looked at the NY Times on Friday it seemed like they had Coleman and Mabern gigging somewhere, together or separately. Not sure if that's still the case.

 

Where did you see Papa Joe?

 

I think it's awesome you saw Cohn. Underrated player with an awesome tone.

I've seen Sonny Rollins, Charles Gayle, and Wayne Shorter live in the last decade and they are all up there. Wayne didn't do much, though.

Missed a chance to see Ornette at one of his last gigs ever.

 

In what could seem an unlikely place : the French town of Nantes, south of Brittany. Though not so unlikely when you consider I also saw Evan Parker, David Murray, John Zorn, Tim Berne and Peter Brötzmann there, among many others (we were rather spoiled for saxophonists now that I think about it !).
This was in the late 90's, I believe.

 

Wayne Shorter with WR 3 times, 1971, 1974, 1979
Dewey Redman with Keith Jarrett
Henry Threadgill with Muhal Richard Abrams
David Murray solo

 

My guess is it was with Barre Phillips & Mat Maneri

I was fortunate to see Joe maybe 5 times with various groups - all but one with groups with Mat & Randy Peterson at the core - all between 1998 & 2002. I miss the old man greatly. In retrospect it was very very special to experience those concerts.

 

I remember Mat playing, but I don't recall Barre Phillips being involved. And I think I would, as I knew and liked him quite a bit. I couldn't find much detail online other than the date : late December 1998.

 

I’m such a dope I forgot the great David “Fathead” Newman. I got to hear him free at a jazz in the Park Concert and even spoke to him briefly. A great player and nice down to earth gentleman.

 

Maybe Barre started playing with the Maneri’s a bit later than that. Maybe it was just Father & Son. They were something else together. These days Mat is something else in many various ensembles.

 

Wayne Shorter duo with Herbie Hancock a couple of years ago.
Sonny Stitt, back in the '70's.

 

Gilad Atzmon...every time I see him; the man is a force of nature.

 

Hands down, Sonny Rollins.

In the same stratosphere, but a cloud below would be:

Sonny Stitt
Pharoah Sanders
Wayne Shorter
Archie Shepp
Benny Carter
Jackie McLean
Ornette Coleman
John Gilmore (w the Arkestra)
Johnny Griffin
Charles Lloyd
Houston Person
Benny Golson
Sam Rivers
George Coleman
Lou Donaldson

 

Indeed - saw them a handful of times at Smoke on the upper west side. Always tuneful and creative

 

One of two that I've seen, Steve Marcus (r.i.p.) - Buddy Rich Band
And Zoot Sims