Hal McKusick facts for kids
Hal McKusick (born June 1, 1924 – died April 11, 2012) was a talented American jazz musician. He played the alto saxophone, clarinet, and flute. He worked with famous bands like Boyd Raeburn's and Claude Thornhill's in the 1940s.
Hal McKusick's Musical Journey
Hal McKusick was born in Medford, Massachusetts. In the early 1950s, he played with jazz musicians Terry Gibbs and Don Elliott. He also recorded his own music as a band leader. One of his albums was called Triple Exposure (1957).
He often worked with the composer George Russell. In 1958, Hal McKusick led a small group that included the famous pianist Bill Evans. They recorded an album called Cross Section - Saxes. Other great musicians like Art Farmer and Paul Chambers also played on this album.
McKusick also played with jazz legends like Lee Konitz and John Coltrane. In 1960, he even appeared in a play by Edward Albee called The Sandbox. Later in his life, he shared his musical knowledge by teaching at the Ross School in East Hampton, New York.
Hal McKusick passed away on April 11, 2012, at the age of 87.
Albums by Hal McKusick
Hal McKusick recorded many albums during his career. Here are some of the albums where he was the main artist:
- East Coast Jazz Series No. 8 (1955)
- In a Twentieth-Century Drawing Room (1956)
- Hal McKusick Quintet Featuring Art Farmer (1957)
- Triple Exposure (1957)
- Cross Section Saxes (1958)
He also played on many albums with other musicians. These are called "sideman" recordings. He worked with artists like Don Elliott, Elliot Lawrence, and George Russell.
