Musicians - Joe Lovano

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	Musicians - Joe Lovano

Joseph Salvatore Lovano (born 29 December 1952 in Cleveland, Ohio) is a jazz saxophonist and clarinet player. Since the 1970s, Lovano has been one of the world's premiere tenor saxophone players, earning a Grammy award and several nods on Down Beat magazine's critics' and readers' polls.

Early years

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Lovano was exposed throughout his early life to jazz by his father. Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, and Sonny Stitt were among his earlier influences. He developed further at Berklee College of Music, and then served a big band apprenticeship with Woody Herman's Thundering Herd and the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra.

His father Tony "Big T" Lovano, a fine Cleveland tenorman, was his first inspiration. He taught Joe all the standards, how to lead a gig, how to pace a set, and to be versatile enough to always find work. Joe started on alto at age six and switched to tenor five years later. He attended Berklee before working with Jack McDuff and Lonnie Smith. After three years with Woody Herman's Orchestra, Lovano moved to New York and began playing regularly with Mel Lewis’ Big Band. This influence is still present in his solos. He often plays lines that convey the rhythmic drive and punch of an entire horn section.

Recent work

One of the top saxophonists of the 1990s, Joe Lovano continues to grow and explore as a musician. He has a husky tenor tone based in the tradition, but an approach to improvisation that is modern and daring. In the early ‘80s he began working in John Scofield’s Quartet and a bass-less trio with Paul Motian and Bill Frisell. Steeped in the tradition of Ornette Coleman, Motian’s recordings show off Lovano’s avant-garde abilities. Scofield’s Quartet straddled the line between “inside” and “outside”. These recordings feature some of Lovano’s best work.

Lovano has enduring musical partnerships with John Scofield and Paul Motian, having participated in some of their most noteworthy projects over the years.

He is currently a jazz artist on the international level. His live work, specifically Quarterts at the Village Vanguard, garnered a Down Beat "Jazz Album of the Year" award. Other releases include Trio Fascination and 52nd Street Themes.

Discography

As leader

Tones, Shapes and Colors (1985)
Hometown Sessions (1986)
Solid Steps (1986)
Village Rhythms (1988)
Worlds (1989)
Landmarks (1990)
Sounds of Joy (1991)
From the Soul (1991)
Universal Language (1992)
Tenor Legacy (1993)
Quartets: Live at the Village Vanguard (1994)
Rush Hour (1994)
Ten Tales (1994)
Celebrating Sinatra (1996)
Tenor Time (1997)
Flying Colors (1997) with Gonzalo Rubalcaba
Trio Fascination: Edition One (1998)
Friendly Fire (1999) with Greg Osby
52nd Street Themes (2000)
Flights of Fancy: Trio Fascination, Volume 2 (2001)
Viva Caruso (2002)
On This Day ... at the Vanguard (2003)
I'm All for You (2004)
Joyous Encounter (2005)

Collaborations

Unknown Voyage (1985) with Furio Di Castri
Grand Slam (2000) with Jim Hall, George Mraz, and Lewis Nash
Fourth World (2001) with James Emery, Judi Silvano, and Drew Gress
ScoLoHoFo (2003) with John Scofield, Dave Holland
, and Al Foster
Gathering of Spirits (2004) with Michael Brecker
and Dave Liebman

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Joe Lovano ]

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