#bennygolson

JAZZTET - VOICES ALL (BENNY GOLSON)

Art Farmer, flugelhorn, trumpet

Benny Golson tenor saxophone

Curtis Fuller, trombone

Albert Heath, drums

Rufus Read, bass

Mickey Tucker, piano

BENNY GOLSON 90th BIRTHDAY EUROPEAN TOUR

Jazz Master Benny Golson's 90th birthday European Tour is about to start in a few days. Don't miss the opportunity to catch this legendary musician's show if you are around. Here are the cities and venues:

R.I.P.

Benny Golson (January 25, 1929 – September 21, 2024).

Benny Golson – The Other Side Of Benny Golson

Benny Golson – Gone with Golson (Full Album)

Gone with Golson is the fifth album by saxophonist Benny Golson featuring performances recorded in 1959 and originally released on the New Jazz label.

Benny Golson (January 25, 1929 – September 21, 2024) was a preeminent American jazz tenor saxophonist, composer, and arranger who played a vital role in the evolution of bebop and hard bop.

Musical Legacy and Compositions

Golson is uniquely revered for his dual mastery as both a performer and one of the most prolific composers in jazz history. He authored over 300 compositions, many of which became essential jazz standards: 

"I Remember Clifford": A poignant threnody written in 1957 as a tribute to his friend, trumpeter Clifford Brown, following Brown's tragic death in a car accident.

"Killer Joe": One of his most recognizable tunes, frequently performed and covered by artists like Quincy Jones.

Other Standards: His repertoire includes staples such as "Whisper Not," "Stablemates," "Along Came Betty," "Blues March," and "Are You Real?". 

Career Milestones

Ensembles: He rose to prominence with the big bands of Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie before joining Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in 1958, where he served as musical director.

The Jazztet: In 1959, he co-founded the influential group The Jazztet with trumpeter Art Farmer, which helped launch the careers of musicians like McCoy Tyner.

Film and Television: During a decade-long hiatus from jazz performance (mid-1960s to mid-1970s), Golson became a sought-after Hollywood arranger and composer. He wrote scores for iconic shows including MASH*, Mission: Impossible, Ironside, and The Partridge Family.

"The Terminal": Golson made a notable cameo appearance as himself in Steven Spielberg’s 2004 film The Terminal, where his autograph is the final goal of the protagonist played by Tom Hanks. 

Awards and Honors

A "living legend" until his passing in late 2024 at age 95, his contributions were recognized with numerous accolades: 

NEA Jazz Master (1996): The highest honor for a jazz musician in the United States.

Grammy Trustees Award (2021): Awarded for his significant contributions to the field of recording.

A Great Day in Harlem: Golson was one of the final two survivors (alongside Sonny Rollins) of the iconic 1958 photograph of jazz's greatest figures