Arthur Blythe facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Arthur Blythe
Blythe at the North Sea Jazz Festival with The Leaders, 1989
Background information
Birth name	Arthur Murray Blythe
Also known as	Black Arthur
Born	(1940-07-05)July 5, 1940 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died	March 27, 2017(2017-03-27) (aged 76) Lancaster, California, U.S.
Genres	Jazz
Occupation(s)	Musician, bandleader, composer
Instruments	Alto saxophone
Years active	1969–2017
Labels	Columbia, Enja, Savant Records

Arthur Murray Blythe (born May 7, 1940 – died March 27, 2017) was an amazing American jazz musician. He played the alto saxophone and also wrote music. People knew him for his special saxophone sound. It was big, clear, and had a quick, wavy feel. He was great at playing both new, experimental jazz and more traditional styles. He often played with bands that used unusual instruments.

Arthur Blythe's Life Story

Arthur Blythe playing his saxophone in San Francisco, 1981

Arthur Blythe was born in Los Angeles, California. He lived in San Diego for a while. When he was 19, he moved back to Los Angeles.

He started playing the alto saxophone when he was just nine years old. At first, he played R&B music. But in his mid-teens, he discovered jazz and fell in love with it. In the mid-1960s, Arthur joined a group called the Underground Musicians and Artists Association (UGMAA). This group was started by Horace Tapscott. Arthur made his first recording with them in 1969.

In the mid-1970s, Arthur moved to New York City. He worked as a security guard for a bit. Soon, he got a chance to play with famous musicians. He played with Chico Hamilton from 1975 to 1977. After that, he joined Gil Evans' Orchestra from 1976 to 1978. He also played with Lester Bowie, Jack DeJohnette, and McCoy Tyner. In 1979, Arthur's own band played at famous places like Carnegie Hall and the Village Vanguard.

Arthur started making his own albums in 1977. He recorded for labels like India Navigation and Columbia Records. A cool thing about his bands was that Bob Stewart often played the tuba. The tuba sometimes took the place of the usual string bass. This gave his music a unique sound! Albums like The Grip and Metamorphosis showed how skilled he was. He could play both free-style jazz and more traditional jazz with his own special touch.

Arthur was also part of some famous jazz groups. He was a member of The Leaders, an all-star jazz group. He also joined the World Saxophone Quartet later on. In the 2000s, he continued to record new music. His album Exhale (2003) featured John Hicks on piano, Bob Stewart on tuba, and Cecil Brooks III on drums.

Arthur Blythe passed away in Lancaster, California, in 2017. He was 76 years old.

Arthur Blythe's Music

Arthur Blythe released many albums as a band leader. Here are some of them: