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Lew Tabackin

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Lew Tabackin is an American jazz saxophonist and flautist, born in Philadelphia in 1940. He began on flute at twelve and on tenor saxophone at fifteen. As a saxophonist he named Al Cohn and Coleman Hawkins as examples; on flute he chose classical players such as Jean-Pierre Rampal. He studied flute at the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music. In 1967 he met the pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi when he was playing in Clark Terry's band. They formed a quartet in the late 1960s and married in 1969.

Music and breakthrough

In 1973 they founded a big band together in Los Angeles, the Toshiko Akiyoshi Lew Tabackin Big Band, which later continued as the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra. Records under his own name include Let The Tape Roll in 1975, Tenor Gladness and Trackin' in 1977, Rites of Pan in 1979, My Old Flame in 1983 and Angelica in 1985. He also recorded with Phil Woods.

Influence

The critic Scott Yanow calls him one of the few jazz musicians who have developed two completely different personalities on two instruments: a powerful hard bop style on saxophone and a delicate style on flute. Outside his music he supports the Jazz Foundation of America, which helps older jazz and blues musicians. In the history of the big band he is an important soloist in an orchestra that linked Japanese and American jazz.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to a recording on which Tabackin plays both tenor saxophone and flute, for example Rites of Pan. Notice the difference between the sturdy, rough saxophone and the light, singing flute.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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Categories: Artists