Ted Nash, Saxophone, 1922, Somerville, MA
Ted learned music with several private teachers while growing up, and then completed his musical education while working with local dance bands in his area. In the mid '40s he worked with Les Brown, and it was here that he gained a professional reputation on alto and tenor. From 1947 to 1952 Nash worked with Jerry Gray. After leaving Gray, he worked with a numerous bands, including those of Bob Crosby, Sonny Burke, Dave Barbour, Pete Rugolo, and Billy May. During the '40s and '50s Ted maintained a band of his own, with which he toured and recorded. He later worked in California on the in radio, television, and film studios. In the '60s and '70s he had a more -or- less steady gig on television as a member of Mort Lindsey's big band. Nash also published a book on playing high harmonics on the saxophone.
Booker Ervin, Saxophone, 1930, Denison, TX
The first instrument Booker played was the trombone, an instrument he unherited from his father who was an amateur musician. During a three year stint in the service Booker taught himself to play the saxophone. After his discharge he gained his only formal training, with private teachers, when he spent a couple of years in Boston. He played rhythm-and-blues, and made his first recordings with Ernie Fields' band in the mid '50s. From around 1958 to 1962 he came to prominence as a member of Charles Mingus' orchestra. Later, he was part of a cooperative group, The Playhouse Four, with Horace Parlan, George Tucker, and Al Harewood. He recorded his best work with Randy Weston in the mid '60s. Booker was a very strong player in the Texas School of tenors--Buddy Tate, Arnett Cobb, and Illinois Jacquet. There was a strong feeling of emotion and intensity about his playing that made a lasting impression on listeners. He was one of the few saxophonists of his generation who was not influenced by John Coltrane. Booker Ervin died in 1970.
Illinois Jacquet, Saxophone, 1922, Broussard, LA
Illinois grew up in Houston Texas where he took up the drums, and later the soprano and alto saxophones while in high school. He played in many local bands during the '30s, and in the early '40s he moved to Los Angeles where he worked with the bandleader Floyd Ray. In 1942 he joined Lionel Hampton, and became famous for his solo on "Flying Home". After around a year and a half he left Lionel and went with Cab Calloway and also became a popular member of Jazz At The Philharmonic. During the 1960s Illinois settled in New York, but continued to tour extensively in Europe. He appeared at numerous jazz festivals in this country and in Europe with a group known as The Texas Tenors, with Arnett Cobb and Buddy Tate. Illinois actually started the Texas Tenor style with his Flying Home solo he made for Hampton. Later in his career his playing mellowed and became less aggressive. His playing actually shows the influence of Coleman Hawkins and Herschel Evans. He maintained a popular big-band until shortly before his death in 2004.
John Guerin, Drums, 1939, Hawaii
Sherman Ferguson, Drums, 1944, Philadelphia, PA
