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Saxophonist and composer Benny Golson hails from Philadelphia. He began studying piano at the age of 9, but was soon seduced by the sounds of the tenor saxophone he heard on jazz records. |
At age 14, he picked up the tenor and began crudely transcribing solos from his favorite recordings. A quick and eager study, Golson soon found himself in jam sessions with a number of up-and-coming jazz stars as they toured through Philly, including John Coletrane, Red Rodney and Jimmy Heath.
Golson's career blossomed after graduating from Howard University, when he joined up with "Bull Moose" Jackson's blues band. There he met pianist and composer, Tad Dameron, who encouraged Golson's budding talent at writing music.
Golson spent a brief period with Dameron's own band, before joining Dizzy Gillespie's Globetrotting Big Band, where his tenor playing and compositional abilities gained even more recognition, as artists like James Moody, Miles Davis, and Dizzy recorded "Blue Walk," "Stablemates" and "Whisper Not" respectively.
Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers was the next stop on Golson's jazz path and his tunes became an integral part of the groups repertoire. He continued writing songs including some of his best known works and what would become enduring jazz standards such as "I Remember Clifford," "Along Came Betty," and "Killer Joe."
At the end of the 1950s, Golson set out with Art Farmer and formed the Jazztet, a hard bop quintet. After several years of touring with this group, Golson took time away from the bandstand to concentrate on composing. He moved to Hollywood and began focusing on composing and arranging for commercials, television programs and films.
Golson made a serious return to the stage and the studio in the late '70s, freelancing extensively with the likes of Woody Shaw and Pharaoh Sanders. In 1982, he rejoined Art Farmer with a new version of the Jazztet. Golson has also devoted much time to jazz education, teaching, giving clinics and even writing textbooks for a new generation of jazz players.
Set List for Benny Golson on Piano Jazz:"Pierre's Moment" (Golson)
"Along Came Betty" (Golson)
"I Remember Clifford" (Golson)
"Prelude to a Kiss" (Ellington)
"Sweet Georgia Brown" (Bernie, Casey, Pinkard)
"Cherry" (Redman)
"Blues In Db" (Konitz)
"Whisper Not 5:12" (Golson)
Golson's career blossomed after graduating from Howard University, when he joined up with "Bull Moose" Jackson's blues band. There he met pianist and composer, Tad Dameron, who encouraged Golson's budding talent at writing music.
Golson spent a brief period with Dameron's own band, before joining Dizzy Gillespie's Globetrotting Big Band, where his tenor playing and compositional abilities gained even more recognition, as artists like James Moody, Miles Davis, and Dizzy recorded "Blue Walk," "Stablemates" and "Whisper Not" respectively.
Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers was the next stop on Golson's jazz path and his tunes became an integral part of the groups repertoire. He continued writing songs including some of his best known works and what would become enduring jazz standards such as "I Remember Clifford," "Along Came Betty," and "Killer Joe."
At the end of the 1950s, Golson set out with Art Farmer and formed the Jazztet, a hard bop quintet. After several years of touring with this group, Golson took time away from the bandstand to concentrate on composing. He moved to Hollywood and began focusing on composing and arranging for commercials, television programs and films.
Golson made a serious return to the stage and the studio in the late '70s, freelancing extensively with the likes of Woody Shaw and Pharaoh Sanders. In 1982, he rejoined Art Farmer with a new version of the Jazztet. Golson has also devoted much time to jazz education, teaching, giving clinics and even writing textbooks for a new generation of jazz players.
Set List for Benny Golson on Piano Jazz: