How appropriate that we should write about the unforgiving soprano sax during the time of Easter, the day when Christ died and rose from the dead so we could all be forgiven! Praise God that Someone has more grace and mercy than that straight (or curved) B flat tormenter.
As one who blows into, but does not “play” the soprano sax (as opposed to my friendlier tenor sax and clarinet), I understand the challenges it brings to both the player and listener.
One of the best things about the soprano is that it does fit a wide variety of genres, tempting you with its broad palate, only to finally torment you when you realize that you can’t play it in tune.
Anyway, having said that, I’ve put together a list of players and songs that should help you get started in navigating your way around this instrument that seems to have eras of popularity and disdain.
- Sidney Bechet- “Summertime” is truly the place to fall in love with the soprano sax. With a vibrato as wide as the Grand Canyon, Bechet packs a wallop of emotion into this Gershwin tune, essentially owning it. Anything Bechet did on Blue Note is timeless
- Johnny Hodges-”Blue Reverie”; Yes, he’s known for his lilting alto sax, but early in his days with Ellington, Johnny Hodges played an equally mellifluous soprano. Check out the 30s small group recordings for some wonderful ditties.
- Charlie Barnet-“Skyliner”; here’s another gent who is better known on a different sax, the tenor, with is classic “Cherokee” solo. But during the Swing Era he would occasionally pull out the straight sax, as here, and he blisters through the chorus. Whew!
- Lucky Thompson “Lover Man” or “In A Sentimental Way”. Undeservedly forgotten, Lucky Thompson was a monster on the tenor and the soprano, featuring the former on the classic Miles Davis “Walkin’” session. As leader, he has a glorious tone on his soprano, which he used here and there on his solo albums. Look for his stuff!
- John Coltrane “Naima” and “My Favorite Things” I won’t say that John Coltrane singlehandedly brought the soprano sax back into popularity, but he singlehandedly brought the soprano sax back into popularity with his clarion call of “My Favorite Things” and his haunting followup “Naima”. He later gave his soprano a more exotic tone on “India”
creating a whole new worldview of sounds 
Steve Lacy “Ruby My Dear”. Lacy was probably the most masterful of soprano saxists, with styles ranging from traditional to free. He was a rapt student of Thelonious Monk, and teamed with kindred spirit pianist Mal Waldron for some wonderful duets. Still, his series of “Solo Monk” recordings still sound joyful and spry, and you can even supply the rhythm section while listening to them!
Wayne Shorter “Gibraltor” , “Black Market” and “Beauty and the Beast”. Shorter’s solos on Weather Report’s Black Market album were the first time I heard the soprano sax in jazz form, and it simply bowled me over. His solo album Native Dancer is just as thrilling
Grover Washington Jr.”East River Drive” No one played smooth styled jazz like Grover Washington Jr. He could also bear down as on “Invitation”, but he is the one who made the soprano sax the romantic piece of brass that it is, before K Gorelick stole the mantel from him.- Bob Wilbur & Kenny Davern “Swing Parade” or “Song of Songs”. Hey, if one is good, why not two making it better. Wilbur plays curved and Davern keeps it straight with a
front line that whines, cries, coos and shrieks for joys. Pure joy, and hold on tight!! 
Branford Marsalis “Pavane”. This one’s bit of a ringer, as it has the jazz great with a chamber orchestra. It demonstrates Marsalis’ gorgeous tone in a perfect setting. His own solo albums, as well as his work with Sting or brother Wynton are all worth seeking out.- Jane Ira Bloom “The Man With The Glasses”. Ms. Bloom was one of the first artists to mix acoustic jazz with electronics. This
one has her in a freer form, and it’s a beaut - Jane Bunnett “Yo Siempre Oddara” also has her on flute, but the Canadian is one of the largest proponents of Cuban jazz. Her Spirits of Havana
album is a classic, but nothing she touches is less than exemplary - Joe Farrell, Dave Liebman and Steve Grossman: “Brite Piece” All three are pretty impressive soprano players on their own, but they were all with drummer Elvin Jones and tear apart Rudy Van Gelder Studios for this session. A white knuckler!