Joe Temperley
Temperley (left) and Gary Smulyan in November 2005
Temperley (left) and Gary Smulyan in November 2005
Background information
Born(1929-09-20)20 September 1929
Cowdenbeath, Scotland
Died11 May 2016(2016-05-11) (aged 86)
New York City, United States
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Baritone saxophone, soprano saxophone, bass clarinet
Years active1950s–2015

Joe Temperley (20 September 1929 – 11 May 2016)[1] was a Scottish jazz saxophonist. He performed with various instruments, but was most associated with the baritone saxophone, soprano saxophone, and bass clarinet.

Life

Temperley was born in Cowdenbeath, Scotland, and grew up in Lochgelly.[2] His father was a bus driver.[3]

Temperley first played cornet, aged 12,[2] then started on saxophone at the age of 14.[4] Six months later, he got his first job at the Glasgow-based Tommy Sampson's Orchestra, having previously played in local dance bands.[4] He joined Humphrey Lyttelton's London-based band in 1957 and stayed until 1965, when he moved to the US.[3] After six months, he was recruited by Woody Herman, with whom he toured for two years.[3]

He also performed or recorded with Buddy Rich, Joe Henderson, Duke Pearson, the Jazz Composer's Orchestra, The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, and Clark Terry among many others. In October 1974, he toured and recorded with the Duke Ellington Orchestra as a replacement for Harry Carney.[4]

During the 1980s, Temperley played in the Broadway show Sophisticated Ladies; and his film soundtrack credits included Cotton Club, Biloxi Blues, Brighton Beach Memoirs, When Harry Met Sally..., and Tune in Tomorrow, the latter composed by Wynton Marsalis.

He was a guest mentor of the Fife Youth Jazz Orchestra programme in Scotland.[5] He was an original member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and served on the faculty of the Juilliard School for Jazz Studies.[6]

Temperley died of kidney failure and cancer in New York City on 11 May 2016, aged 86.[7][1]

Discography

As leader

As sideman

With Buck Clayton

With Eumir Deodato

With Duke Ellington Orchestra

With Wynton Marsalis and Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra

With Humphrey Lyttelton

With others

References

  1. ^ a b Chinen, Nate (20 May 2016). "Joe Temperley, Velvety Baritone Saxophonist in Big Bands, Dies at 86". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b Vacher, Peter (17 May 2016) "Joe Temperley Obituary". The Guardian
  3. ^ a b c "Joe Temperley, Jazz Saxophonist – Obituary". (17 May 2016) The Daily Telegraph
  4. ^ a b c "Practice keeps jazz veteran in tune". BBC News - UK - Scotland. BBC. 3 August 2009. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  5. ^ FYJO - the Fife Youth Jazz Orchestra Archived 6 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "Manhattan School of Music: Faculty Bio". Archived from the original on 7 March 2008. Retrieved 9 February 2008.
  7. ^ Haga, Evan (12 May 2016) "Saxophonist Joe Temperley Dies". JazzTimes

External links

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