Results for "Saxophone"

Wessell Anderson

Born: November 27, 1964

Alto saxophonist Wessell "Warmdaddy" Anderson grew up in the tough Bedford Stuyvesent and Crown Heights neighborhoods of Brooklyn, NY. By the time Anderson was 14 years old, he was deeply involved in the local jazz scene (thanks in part to his father, a drummer) and attending jam sessions at then-active Brooklyn and Queens jazz clubs like the Blue Coronet, Pumpkin's, and the Turbo Village. Anderson later studied at Harlem's famed Jazzmobile workshops with the likes of Frank Wess, Charles Davis, and Frank Foster. Here, Anderson also met Wynton and Branford Marsalis, who were both playing with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers at the time

Fred Anderson

Born: March 22, 1929

Tenor saxophonist extraordinare, Fred Anderson was born in Monroe, Louisiana. In 1940, Fred migrated to Evanston, Illinois, and also lived for a time in Gary, Indiana. Making a living waiting tables, and installing carpet, Fred Anderson ho nned his skills on tenor. He cites his primary musical influences as Charlie Parker because of Bird's profound knowledge of the saxophone. In the early 1960's, Fred came in contact with more and more members of the soon-to-be-formed AACM. In 1964, he performed on what many to consider to be the first AACM concert which featured Fred, Billy Brimfield (trumpet), Joseph Jarman (woodwinds), Arth ur Reed (drums), Charles Clark (bass)

Curtis Amy

Born: October 11, 1927

Coming out of the Texas Tenor tradition of honkers, Curtis Amy was of the same generation as Booker Ervin, David Fathead Newman, James Clay, and Wilton Felder, but his time in the jazz spotlight was brief. Amy had a beautiful sound and a style that was both brawny and lyrical. The major influences on Amy's style were the tenor saxophonists Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt. Although he had a long and successful career in his transplanted home of Los Angeles, much of it was spent doing high-profile studio work and working with his wife, the extraordinary vocalist Merry Clayton.

Born in 1927, Amy had taken up the clarinet when he was a child, and in 1946 enrolled at Wiley College, in Texas, to continue his studies. He dropped out and then worked as a postman before joining the US Army in 1947. He took up the tenor saxophone while in the Army. Afterwards, Amy resumed his studies and at 19 he was awarded a scholarship to Kentucky State College. He achieved his bachelor's degree and then taught music in a high school in Tennessee. In 1955, he moved to Los Angeles, where he put together a quintet with the trombonist Melba Liston. He went on to join the rhythm and blues group led by the pianist Amos Milburn and led a variety of groups of his own, using such outstanding local jazz musicians as Carmell Jones, Roy Ayers, Victor Feldman, and Kenny Barron.

Harry Allen

Born: October 12, 1966

Gene Lees writes, "Stan Getz was once asked his idea of the perfect tenor saxophone soloist. His answer was, 'My technique, Al Cohn's ideas, and Zoot's time.' The fulfillment of that ideal may well be embodied in thirty-year-old Harry Allen." BMG recording artist Harry Allen has over twenty recordings to his name. Three of Harry's CDs have won Gold Disc Awards from Japan's Swing Journal Magazine, and his CD Tenors Anyone? won both the Gold Disc Award and the New Star Award. His recordings have made the top ten list for favorite new releases in Swing Journal Magazine's reader's poll and Jazz Journal International's critic's poll for 1997, and Eu Nao Quero Dancar (I Won't Dance), the third Gold Disc Award winner, was voted second for album of the year for 1998 by Swing Journal Magazine‚s reader‚s poll. Harry has performed at jazz festivals and clubs worldwide, frequently touring the United States, Europe, and the Far East

Roland Alexander

Born: September 25, 1935

After studying music at the Boston Conservatory, Roland Alexander moved to New York City in 1958, where he played the hardbop scene with John Coltrane, Philly Joe Jones, Mal Waldron, Roy Haynes, Max Roach, Blue Mitchell and Sonny Rollins. Apart from playing the tenor and soprano sax, he also worked as a pianist. His style, though rooted in bop, expanded to freer, more experimental works in the '60s and '70s. In 1969 he joined the group '360 Degree Music Experience' which was led by Beaver Harris and Grachan Moncur III. He played on albums by Charlie Persip, Dollar Brand (Abdullah Ibrahim) ("African Space Program", 1973), Paul Chambers, Howard McGhee ("Dusky Blue", 1960), Teddy Charles, James Spaulding ("Songs of Courage", 1991) and Sam Rivers

Gerald Albright

A native Californian, Gerald Albright grew up in South Central Los Angeles. After high school, he attended the University of Redlands where he received a B.S. degree in Business Management, minoring in Music. Immediately after college, Albright began to master his talent by working extensively in the studio with such artists as Patrice Rushen, Anita Baker, Ray Parker, Jr., Lola Folana, Atlantic Starr, The Winans, Olivia Newton-John, The Temptations, and Maurice White. He also toured with Les McCann, Rodney Franklin, Jeff Lorber, Teena Marie, Marlene Shaw, Debra and Eloise Laws, Quincy Jones, Whitney Houston, Phil Collins, and many others

Cannonball Adderley

Born: September 15, 1928

Both as the leader of his own bands as well as an alto and soprano saxophone stylist, Julian Edwin "Cannonball" Adderley was one of the progenitors of the swinging, rhythmically robust style of music that became known as hard-bop. Born September 15, 1928, into a musical family in Florida, Adderley was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1950. He became leader of the 36th Army Dance Band, led his own band while studying music at the U.S. Naval Academy and then led an army band while stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Originally nicknamed "Cannibal" in high school for his voracious appetite, the nickname mutated into "Cannonball" and stuck. In 1955, Adderley traveled to New York City with his younger brother and lifelong musical partner, Nat Jr. (cornet)

Greg Abate

Born: May 31, 1947

Greg Abate jazz saxophonist, flutist, composer continues as an International Jazz/Recording Artist with 225 days a year touring the globe.

In the mid '70s after finishing a four year program at Berklee College Of Music, Greg played lead alto for the Ray Charles Orchestra for two years.

In 1978 Greg formed his group Channel One which was a favorite in the New England area and from there had the opportunity to play tenor sax with the revived Artie Shaw Orchestra under leadership of Dick Johnson from 1986 to ’87.

Following this experience Greg ventured out as post hard bop soloist playing Jazz Festivals, Jazz Societies and Jazz Clubs throughout the U.S

Cedrick De'Von Britton

De'Von Britton's unbelievable saxophone ability breathes new life into the jazz world. This experienced 20-year old from Memphis, Tennessee has skills that are mature beyond his age. His tasteful saxophone arrangements intertwining with funky, soulful grooves make his music truly unique and very impressive. De'Von has recently embarked on his solo career. Through his music, he hopes to influence people in a positive way. Although very confident in his ability on the sax, De'Von is extremely humble. He thanks God for the abilities bestowed upon him and his spirituality plays a huge part in his music

Paul d'Ambrosio

Born: January 1, 1975

Origins Italian Austrian raised in Liege Belgium While studying fine arts he realised that colors and music are different degrees of the same vibration, first the guitar came by, got plugged and started rockin'. He learned improvisation thru heavy-metal until some day a giant tenor sax showed him the way. The Conservatoire Royal taugh him reading and composing extending his repertoire to chamber music, new music, learning the bop tunes with Jacques Pelzer, he got to europeans tours and major festivals with different formations, from spacerock to abstract jazz... in search of new horizons it's time move to go to New-York