Pioneer and First Innovator

Sidney Bechet


Other Pre-Bop Sopranos

Johnny Hodges
Charlie Barnet


Later Swing and Traditional Stylists

Bob Wilber
Kenny Davern
Woody Herman
George Probert (with Firehouse Five Plus Two)


Bop-Based Saxophonists Doubling on Soprano

Lucky ThompsonZoot Sims
Budd JohnsonJerome Richardson
Oliver NelsonCannonball Adderley


Avantgarde Innovators

John Coltrane
Steve Lacy
Evan Parker


Also Very Influential

Wayne Shorter


Other Important Stylists

Dave LiebmanJane Ira Bloom
Jane BunnettBruce Ackley
John SurmanJan Garbarek
Joseph JarmanRoscoe Mitchell
Oliver LakeLulius Hemphill
Greg OsbySteve Grossman
Gerry NiewoodGary Bartz
Branford Marsalis


Crossover and Instrumental Pop

Grover Washington jr.Ronnie Laws
George HowardKenny G.
Bill Evans