Lew Tabackin Explained

Lew Tabackin
Background:non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth Name:Lewis Barry Tabackin
Birth Date:26 March 1940
Birth Place:Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupation:Musician
Instrument:Tenor saxophone, flute
Years Active:1962–present
Label:RCA Victor/BMG, Discomate, Inner City
Associated Acts:Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band, Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra

Lewis Barry Tabackin (born March 26, 1940)[1] is an American jazz tenor saxophonist and flutist. He is married to pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi with whom he has co-led large ensembles since the 1970s.

Biography

Tabackin started learning flute at age 12, followed by tenor saxophone at age 15.[2] He has cited Al Cohn[2] [3] and Coleman Hawkins[2] as influences on saxophone, while his flute role models include classical players such as William Kincaid, Julius Baker, and Jean-Pierre Rampal.[2] Tabackin studied flute at the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music and also studied music with composer Vincent Persichetti. In 1962 he graduated from the Conservatory and after serving with the U.S. Army worked with Tal Farlow. He also worked with Chuck Israels in New York City[2] and a band that included Elvin Jones, Donald Byrd, and Roland Hanna. Later he was a member of The Dick Cavett Show band and The Tonight Show Band with Doc Severinsen.[4] He moved from New York to California with The Tonight Show in 1972.[3] During this time he played with Shelly Manne and Billy Higgins.[3]

Tabackin met Toshiko Akiyoshi in 1967 while he was playing in Clark Terry's band and he was invited to sit in for Don Friedman.[3] They formed a quartet in the late 1960s, married in 1969,[5] and in 1973 co-founded the Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band in Los Angeles,[3] which later became the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra featuring Lew Tabackin, playing bebop in Duke Ellington-influenced arrangements and compositions by Akiyoshi. Tabackin was principal soloist for the band from 1973 through 2003.

Critic Scott Yanow describes Tabackin as "one of the few jazz musicians who has been able to develop completely different musical personalities on two instruments", with his forceful hard bop style on sax contrasting with his delicate flute playing.[6]

Jazz Foundation of America

Tabackin supports the Jazz Foundation of America in its mission to help elderly jazz and blues musicians, including those affected by Hurricane Katrina. He has sat on the Advisory Committee of the Foundation since 2002.[7]

Discography

As leader or co-leader

Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band

Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra featuring Lew Tabackin

Akiyoshi - Tabackin Big Band compilations

As sideman

With Toshiko Akiyoshi

With Donald Byrd

With Benny Carter

With Harmonie Ensemble New York

With Shelly Manne

With Duke Pearson

With Carla White

With others

Video

Awards and honors

DownBeat magazine Critic's Poll winner:[11]

DownBeat magazine Readers' Poll winner:

Grammy Award nominations:

Swing Journal awards:

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: The Guinness Who's Who of Jazz. Colin Larkin. Guinness Publishing. 1992. First. 0-85112-580-8. 384/5.
  2. Joffe . Edward . An Interview with Lew Tabackin . Joffe Woodwinds . November 2006.
  3. Web site: Jazz . All About . A Fireside Chat With Lew Tabackin . All About Jazz . 20 November 2018 . 4 April 2003.
  4. Book: Feather . Leonard . Gitler . Ira . The Encyclopedia of Jazz in the Seventies . registration . 1976 . Horizon . New York. 9780818012150 .
  5. News: Freedman . Samuel G. . Studying and Living Jewish-Asian Intermarriage . . 20 November 2018 . 15 June 2012.
  6. Web site: Yanow . Scott . Lew Tabackin . . 20 November 2018.
  7. Web site: Jazz Angels pt. 2 - JFA's Wendy Oxenhorn on HammondCast KYOURADIO. August 2, 2021. Archive.org.
  8. Dryden, Ken, "Lew Tabackin: Jazz na Hradě (2010)," allaboutjazz.com. Accessed 2011 September 26.
  9. Mosaic Records, Mosaic Select Vol. 33 . Accessed 2008 September 19.
  10. Web site: Toshiko Akiyoshi Orchestra | Strive for Jive | Lew Tabackin | Frank Wess | Big Band DVD . 2009-08-28 . 2010-07-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100718003943/http://www.view.com/the_toshiko_akiyoshi_jazz_orchestra_strive_for_jive_dvd.aspx . dead .
  11. Web site: Down Beat Magazine . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927203147/http://www.downbeat.com/default.asp?sect=stories&subsect=story_detail&sid=704 . dead . 27 September 2007 . 20 November 2018 . 27 September 2007.

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