Jack Nimitz | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Jerome Nimitz |
| Born | January 11, 1930 Washington, D.C. |
| Died | June 10, 2009 (aged 79) Los Angeles, California |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Baritone saxophone |
| Years active | 1949–1990s |
Jack Nimitz (January 11, 1930 – June 10, 2009) was an American jazz baritone saxophonist, nicknamed "The Admiral".[1]
A native of Washington, D.C., Nimitz started on clarinet in his early teens before playing alto saxophone.[1][2] During the 1950s he played baritone saxophone with Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, and Herbie Mann.[1] He continued to play in big bands in the 1960s with Terry Gibbs and Gerald Wilson in addition to working in film and leading a quintet.[1]
Nimitz was a founding member of Supersax in the early 1970s and remained with the band into the 1990s.[1] During the 1980s and 1990s he was a member of big bands led by Oliver Nelson and Bill Berry.[1] He performed in the sextet of Frank Strazzeri and the sextet of Bud Shank in the 1990s.[1] In 1997 he worked with Buddy Childers at the PizzaExpress Jazz Club in London.[1]
A studio musician for much of his life, Nimitz recorded his first album as leader in the 1990s.[1][2]
The Jack Nimitz Quintet played its final performance on May 10, 2009, in Northridge, California. Nimitz died in Los Angeles at the age of 79 from complications due to emphysema.[3]
With Terry Gibbs
With Woody Herman
With Stan Kenton
With Steuart Liebig
With Shelly Manne
With Oliver Nelson
With Lalo Schifrin
With Diane Schuur
With Bud Shank
With Supersax
With Gerald Wilson
With others
