Gospel saxophonists... hmmm...
I went to see Dr. Vernard Johnson live like 10 years ago (I was goin' to the 5th grade)... it was that concert that made me decide to play sax "so I could be just like Vernard Johson".... since then I hadn't really heard much of his stuff until my mom went to the C.O.G.I.C natonal convention in Memphis a couple years ago and got his two albums... I popped them in, and I must say... I could hardly stand to listen through the entire album!! I said to myself.... "What was I thinking ?!?!?!... You mean, THAT inspired me to play sax?!?!?!..." Now... don't get me wrong, Dr. Johnson is an awesome man of God with a great ministry and an amazing annointing, and I totally respect that. However, as far as playing goes, I find his tone thin and annoying, and his musicality lacking.
For me, I can listen to Donald Hayes all day!! I love the smoothness of his tone and style of playing - he stays in the pocket... Great is Thy Faithfulness on the Quiet Times CD... simply amazing.
I also like Kirk Whalum and Mike Phillips... all of those cats are great. You can't leave out Charlie Parker and Cannonball Adderly for technicality and Paul Desmond for just sheer beautiful tone either.