Home » Jazz News » Birthday

1

Jazz Musician of the Day: Gene Ammons

Source:

Sign in to view read count

All About Jazz is celebrating Gene Ammons' birthday today!

Eugene “Jug" Ammons was a jazz tenor saxophonist, and the son of boogie-woogie pianist Albert Ammons.

Ammons began to gain recognition when he went on the road with trumpeter King Kolax band in 1943, at the age of 18. He became a member of the Billy Eckstine and Woody Herman bands in 1944 and 1949 respectively, and then in 1950 formed a duet with Sonny Stitt. His later career was interrupted by two prison sentences for narcotics possession, the first from 1958 to 1960, the second from 1962 to 1969.

Ammons and Von Freeman were the founders of the Chicago School of tenor saxophone. His...Read more.

Place our Musician of the Day widget on your website or blog.

Visit Website

Comments

Tags

News

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.