Happy birthday, Park Frederick Pepper Adams 9 October 1930 - 10 September 1986. Born in Highland Park, Michigan, he started out on clarinet and tenor sax but switched to baritone when his family moved to Detroit. By the age of 17 he was playing with Lucky Thompson. over the years he played with John Coltrane, Lee Morgan, Benny Goodman and was a founding member of the Thad Jones - Mel Lewis big band. He composed 43 pieces, was the leader on eighteen albums spanning 28 years and participated in 600 sessions as a sideman. His speed and bop influenced technique set him apart from other baritone saxophonist. He named Wardell Gray and Harry Carney as two who influenced him, but his sound is unique. https://youtube/watch?v=-SwZqUl9GNI#t=15
Posted on: Thu, 09 Oct 2014 13:25:49 +0000