Joe Temperley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joe Temperley
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Temperley (left) and Gary Smulyan in November 2005
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| Background information | |
| Born | 20 September 1929 Cowdenbeath, Scotland |
| Died | 11 May 2016 (aged 86) New York City, United States |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Baritone saxophone, soprano saxophone, bass clarinet |
| Years active | 1950s–2015 |
| Associated acts | The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra |
Joe Temperley (born September 20, 1929 – died May 11, 2016) was an amazing Scottish jazz musician. He was best known for playing the baritone saxophone, but he also played the soprano saxophone and the bass clarinet. He played with many famous jazz bands and musicians throughout his long career.
Contents
A Life in Jazz
Joe Temperley was born in a town called Cowdenbeath in Scotland. He grew up in a nearby place called Lochgelly. His dad was a bus driver.
Starting His Musical Journey
Joe started playing the cornet when he was 12 years old. Just two years later, at age 14, he switched to the saxophone. Only six months after that, he got his first professional job! He joined the Tommy Sampson's Orchestra in Glasgow, Scotland. Before that, he had played in local dance bands.
In 1957, Joe joined Humphrey Lyttelton's band in London. He stayed with them for eight years, until 1965. That year, he decided to move to the United States.
Playing with Jazz Legends
After being in the US for only six months, Joe was asked to join Woody Herman's band. He toured with them for two years.
Joe also played and recorded music with many other jazz greats. These included Buddy Rich, Joe Henderson, Duke Pearson, The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, and Clark Terry. In 1974, he even toured and recorded with the famous Duke Ellington Orchestra. He filled in for their regular baritone saxophonist, Harry Carney.
Music for Movies and Broadway
During the 1980s, Joe played in a Broadway show called Sophisticated Ladies. He also played on the soundtracks for several movies. Some of these films include Cotton Club, Biloxi Blues, Brighton Beach Memoirs, When Harry Met Sally..., and Tune in Tomorrow. The music for Tune in Tomorrow was composed by the famous jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.
Teaching and Mentoring
Joe Temperley loved to share his musical knowledge. He was a guest mentor for the Fife Youth Jazz Orchestra program in Scotland. He was also one of the first members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. This is a very important jazz orchestra in New York City. Joe also taught jazz studies at the Juilliard School, which is a very famous music school.
Joe Temperley passed away in New York City on May 11, 2016, at the age of 86. He died from kidney failure and cancer.
Joe Temperley's Music
Joe Temperley recorded many albums, both as the main artist and as a sideman (playing with other musicians).
Albums as the Leader
These are some of the albums where Joe Temperley was the main artist:
- Just Friends with Jimmy Knepper (1979)
- When You're Smiling with Benny Waters (1981)
- Concerto for Joe (1995)
- Sunbeam and Thundercloud with Dave McKenna (1996)
- With Every Breath (1998)
- Double Duke (1999)
- Live at the Floating Jazz Festival with Kenny Davern (2000)
- Saxploitation with Kathy Stobart (2001)
- Monk with Junior Mance (2003)
Albums as a Sideman
Joe Temperley played on many albums with other great musicians. Here are some of the artists he recorded with:
With Buck Clayton
- The Great Buck Clayton (1964)
- A Buck Clayton Jam Session (1974)
With Eumir Deodato
- Deodato 2 (1973)
- Whirlwinds (1974)
With Duke Ellington Orchestra
- Continuum (1976)
- Music Is My Mistress (1989)
With Wynton Marsalis and Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra
- Crescent City Christmas Card (1989)
- Tune in Tomorrow (1990)
- Portraits by Ellington (1992)
- Big Train (1999)
- Live in Swing City, Swingin' with Duke (1999)
- Essentially Ellington 2000 (2000)
- Plays the Music of Duke Ellington (2004)
- A Love Supreme (2004)
- Cast of Cats (2004)
- Don't Be Afraid...the Music of Charles Mingus (2005)
- Vitoria Suite (2010)
- Portrait in Seven Shades (2010)
- Live in Cuba (2016)
With Humphrey Lyttelton
- Humph in Perspective (1958)
- Blues in the Night (1960)
- Hump and Friends (1961)
- Late Night Final (1963)
- Humphrey Lyttelton and His Band (1965)
- Duke Ellington Classics (1971)
- Humph Dedicates (2005)
With Other Artists
Joe Temperley also played with many other musicians, including:
- John Barry on The Cotton Club soundtrack (1984)
- Benny Carter on Over the Rainbow (1989)
- Joe Henderson on Big Band (1996)
- The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra on Central Park North (1969)
- Gerry Mulligan on Walk on the Water (1980)
