I take a look at the work of baritone saxophonist Serge Chaloff (1923-1957) starting with his musical influences. Perhaps best known for his work with Woody Herman, Chaloff is considered the first bebop baritone saxophonist and paved the way for other important baritone saxophonists in the 1950’s and 1960’s. He played this unwieldy instrument with the grace and fluency of the smaller alto saxophone.
Serge Chaloff - Episode 1
| Composition | Artist | Year |
| Sophisticated Lady | Duke Ellington Orchestra (with Harry Carney) | 1956 |
| Doggin' Around | Count Basie Orchestra (featuring Jack Washington) | 1938 |
| Bird's Nest | Charlie Parker | 1947 |
| Blue Serge | Serge Chaloff Quintet | 1946 |
| Pumpernickel | Serge Chaloff Sextet | 1947 |
| Serge's Urge | Serge Chaloff Sextet | 1947 |
| A Bar a Second | Serge Chaloff Sextet | 1947 |
| Fine and Dandy | Red Rodney and his Be-Boppers | 1947 |
Serge Chaloff - Episode 2
Chaloff’s recording legacy is relatively small with his best work coming from 1948 to 1949 and then later in the mid-1950’s, shortly before his untimely death. The septet and octet recordings from 1949 bear a striking similarity to the work of Tadd Dameron and the Miles Davis Nonet (Birth of the Cool). His later work in some ways foreshadows the combining of jazz with other genres (Fable of Mabel). Known for his beautiful sound and use of the entire range of the instrument, his tone will remain as one of the most unique in all of jazz.
| Composition | Artist | Year |
| Kip | Serge Chaloff Sextet | 1955 |
| Chickasaw | Serge Chaloff Octet | 1949 |
| The Most! | Serge Chaloff Octet | 1949 |
| Pat | Serge Chaloff Septet | 1949 |
| Easy Street | Serge Chaloff Quintet | 1954 |
| Sherry | Serge Chaloff Trio | 1954 |
| The Fable of Mabel | Serge Chaloff Sextet | 1954 |
| Body and Soul | Serge Chaloff Sextet | 1955 |