Has to be either Charlie Parker or John Coltrane. Both were iconic saxophonists, the best of the best, that propelled jazz to a new standard or in a new direction. Generations of saxophone players were mesmerized and influenced by their insane skill. Both Charlie and John died quite young, mostly due to heroin and other drugs. Other good shouts would be: Bud Powell, who's bright mind and talent was f-ed up by electroshock therapy abuse. Or Fats Navarro, another sax icon that died at 26.