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tenor saxophonist

tenor saxophonist

1 5.4
A musician who plays the tenor saxophone
  • noun
  • /ˈtɛnər ˌsæksəˈfoʊnɪst/
translation icon : saxofonista tenor
  • After that, the alto saxophonist plays his version for one chorus, and the tenor saxophonist next to him plays a completely different variation on the same melody.
  • tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano

Examples

  • Or is it essential that the three tenor saxophonists, who are playing the same part, be certified as the best, middle, and worst player?

    Academic text (1994)

  • But one of the best, tenor saxophonist Don Byas, chose a different route.

    Blog text (31)

  • As the tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano states, "Sonny never plays a song he doesn't love" (YouTube).

    Academic text (2014)

  • "Tenor saxophonists might want to compare the John Coltrane and Stan Getz versions of "Lush Life."

    Academic text (1991)

  • Among the treasures: Coleman Hawkins, the first great tenor saxophonist in jazz, playing multiple ad-lib choruses on the classic "Body and Soul."

    Academic text (2011)

  • Ted Nash, a talented tenor saxophonist, performs with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra each week.

  • Many fans regard Joe Lovano as the greatest tenor saxophonist of his generation due to his innovative style.

  • During the concert, the audience applauded enthusiastically as the tenor saxophonist played his soulful melody.

Synonyms

saxophonist
vstenor saxophonist
12 4.4

A person who plays the saxophone, often as a professional musician

is the same role but names a specific lower-pitched instrument
tenorist
vstenor saxophonist
  • Jargon
8.1

A musician who plays the tenor saxophone, often in jazz

is the same musician role but without jazz or popular association
saxist
vstenor saxophonist
7.9

A person who plays the saxophone

is the same role but specifies one saxophone with a lower pitch

Surface Forms

tenor saxophonist singular
tenor saxophonists plural

Morphology

tenor + saxophonist

The meaning 'a musician who plays the tenor saxophone' is directly and compositionally derived from 'tenor' (specifying the tenor range/type) + 'saxophonist' (a saxophone player). This attributive modifier + noun pattern is a regular, cross-linguistic compounding pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

The name tenor saxophonist comes from two parts: tenor and saxophone. 'Tenor' is a lower singing voice, and a tenor saxophone makes a warm, low sound like that voice, so a tenor saxophonist is 'a musician who plays the tenor saxophone'.