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Jimmy Wright

With passport in hand have sax will travel, on a moment notice

About Me

Biographical Information Jimmy Wright returned to the United States of America on 5th of May 1987 from a twenty-five year stay in Western Europe. (Germany) Jimmy was the understudy of the late alto saxophone player Pony Poindexter from 1968 to 1974 while he was stationed at the Munich Microwave Radio Station, Munich Germany. During his stay in Germany he had the opportunity to meet and play with many of the great jazz players like Eddie “Clean Head” Vision, Sonny Stitt, Benny Bailey, Mel Waldron, Babs Gonzales, Isla Eckinger, Johnny Griffin, Jimmy Woode, Pony Poindexter, George Mraz, Jan Hammer, Tommie Harris and many others. Being in such fast company helped to improve his (Jimmy Wright) understanding of the music called jazz from a player’s point of view. Jimmy Wright has been listening and collecting jazz records from late 1955 until the present date.

He has always had a big ear for jazz, rhythm & blues and always wanted to play the trumpet or saxophone but his family did not have the money for an expensive instrument like that. It was not until 1968, at the age of twenty-six, in Munich Germany, while he was having serious and extremely depressing problems with his first wife that he met the famous Pony Poindexter who had just arrived from Paris to play a fourteen day engagement at the famous jazz club Domicile. Pony was really cookin', so much so until he was held over for another week. A friendship developed and a suggestion was made that “Now Is The Time” to re-direct his energy and new found freedoms to the study of music and the alto saxophone. Pony, Said “sure it's painful not being able to make the marriage work, but it takes two, and you can't do it all by yourself!” This was when Jimmy Wright made up his mind to do something that he had wanted to do for many years, but never had the time or the money to buy a saxophone. So the very next day he went out and purchased an old used silver Martin alto. That horn didn't last long because it was somewhat out of tune, so he used it as a trade in on a brand new Selmer Mark VI alto the top of the line and it changed his whole sound for the better. He will not play any other brand saxophone than Selmer. Jimmy Wright has been in search of the keys to the kingdom everyday of his life thereafter.

Several years later (1970-1979) and after several encounters with “String” Sonny Stitt), he picked up the Selmer tenor, in addition to alto and vocals. Upon his return to “The World” in 1987, after having played for many years around Germany with European musicians and many of the expatriates who had established themselves on the music scene, he realized that “Now Was The Time” to present himself to this side of the world, The Mainland.

With a little help from President Reagan and prompting from the local terrorist factions convinced him that it was indeed time to make a serious move back to the United States, leaving his jazz club and everything else behind. You will have the chance to read about some of the funny as well as trying times in the life of Jimmy Wright in his up and coming book which will be released shortly. Request for additional information:

The Return of Jimmy Wright Having lived in Europe for almost three decades, Jimmy Wright, alto saxophonist and vocalist has returned to the United States. A native of “The Big Windy City” Chicago, Illinois, one of the millions of real warriors, (veteran ) who was lucky enough to return to the United States with honor after serving many years overseas; from the far East to all over Europe. One of the persons responsible for the destruction of the Berlin Wall, the dismantling of the Russian Empire and the ending of the cold war as we know it. He survived with only minor scrapes, wounds and disabilities. After nearly thirty years of living, and working in foreign countries, playing jazz music part time, owner of Jimmy's Jazz Club in Deutschland (Germany) he recognized that it was time to return to America, and Chicago to make his mark on the jazz scene and build a second career as a jazz patriot. Jimmy Wright has not returned to the Chicago jazz and blues scene empty-handed. Having spent many, many laborious hours’ and years of wood-shedding with records, tapes, computers and jam sessions all over the world has made his proficiency as a player, and leader. He has also released a CD under his name entitled “Jimmy Wright meets the John Wright Trio” Main Stem Records, Inc (MSR) & North Country Distributors Redwood, NY. 13679. Having paid some heavy dues it is apparent that he has developed a razor sharp jazz vocabulary and a scalding competitive style. Some even might say controversial concept, (depending on if you are “Pro or Con” Jimmy Wright) but the facts are clear he is a very positive musical force, sovereign in his own right and has found many of the keys to the musical kingdom call bebop and blues. Following the direction and concept of the masters of the craft, who have passed this way before him? - Norwood “Pony” Poindexter, Miles “Dewey” Davis, Sonny ”String” Stitt, Dexter “LTD” Gordon, Duke of Ellington, Gene “Jug” Ammons, Eddie “Lock Jaw” Davis, John “Trane” Coltrane and Charlie “Yardbird” Parker just to name a few of the great styles and the established schools of jazz saxophone playing. Jimmy Wright while living in Germany has had the opportunity to have many confidential conversations with and has learned from many of those Masters by examination one on one with them about style, concept, the various historical viewpoints and prospective of this our only true American art form Jazz. A majority of the masters always pointed out the importance of rhythm and that all God's children have it and you are suppose to use it liberally and with style. Never forgetting from whence the blues came and what you come here to do. Being ever mindful to walk upright before God and man, and to pass on a small token his mark for the entire world to see, because the keys of the kingdom are to be shared with those that are seeking knowledge, and more Light, from the Great “I am”. Yes friends! The arrival of Jimmy Wright has brought with it a very confident sound, very positive and ever expanding harmonic command over his alto and tenor saxophone. Adding to that outstanding vocal concept, abilities, there is no telling what Jimmy Wright will do any given night, under the right circumstances with a consistent rhythm section. We have not heard the sound or felt the warmth from his tenor saxophone, only because he has not had the chance to wield it yet. Is it warm and sweet or is it hot and brash? Beware! Nothing but hard work is ahead for Jimmy Wright, in shadows of the home bozy’s in hometown Chicago, the story of his life it seems. This is the price one must always pay, the price for wanting to be the best that you can be. Using all the tools the Creator gave you. Jimmy Wright has made thousands upon thousands of fans and friends all over the European and African side of the planet, who know first hand the man, “Jimmy Wright” and President of The United Jazz Society of America, Inc. (USA-JAZZ) and the concept steeped in the rich modern tradition of the of the music called jazz. Jazz Society Band - & - Heaven and Earth Blues Band Attn: Membership Dept. 1343 North Cleveland Ave. (Suite 1106) Chicago, Ill. 60610 Cell: 312-860-8889 Fax: 312-642-2582 [email protected] http://www.jazz-agency.com All of the above is for authorized press release by Jimmy Wright, & the United Jazz Society of America, Inc.

My Jazz Story

I love jazz because...of the formats, protocols, and utilities you can learn to express yourself. And if effective you can become a member of a school of thought. As well a make a profound contribution to the past present, and future things to come in the matrix of truth, logic, and justice, of this only true American Art From! I was first exposed to jazz...in the fifties, and since studied with some of the historical greats, seeking to develop my own musical vocabulary - using applied be-bop formula's, and blues vehicles to express my personal ideologies. I met [musician name]...Philly Jo Jones, Pony Poindexter, Miles,Davis, Benny Baily, Jimmy Woode, Sonny Stitt, Dexter Gordon, Mel Waldron, Eddie CleadHead Vinson, Dizzy, Art Blakey, Art Farmer, James Moody, Ella Fitzgearld, Stan Getz,Al Grey, Errol Garner, Loinel Hampton, Gene Ammons, Duke Ellington,Leo Wright, Carmel Jones, Winton Marselais, John Wright, Trio, Ernie Outlaw, Bob Forscette, Johnny Griffin, Monk, Wilbur Ware, Von Freemon, Jodie Christian and many others the had a profound effect on my jazz school of thought, and confirmation that I was on the right track: in search of that which was lost. The best show I ever attended was...one of the best concerts was when I sat in with the Sonny Stitt trio, in Frankfurt Germany Jazz House, secondly doing a show at the Studen Center,in Karlsrue Germany, with Johnny Griffin, Pony Poindexter, and myself, and a local rhythm section. The first jazz record I bought was...Last train from Overbrook, A Train Ellington, Jumpin' at the Woodside Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross, My advice to new listeners...Get all the Count Basie, and Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson to start your collection. This music is the only true American musical art form, support real jazz, and keep on swingin' Jazz is best, and ahead of all the rest, so Don't B#, Don't Bb, just B Natural. Jimmy Wright