Dr. Teodross Avery

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Teodross Avery originally played classical guitar, switching to jazz tenor-sax after he heard John Coltrane’s recording of “Giant Steps” when he was 13.

Considered a bit of a prodigy, Avery attended Berklee when he was 17 and at 19 was signed to GRP/Impulse, making his recording debut in 1994.

After a period playing with veteran greats in New York, he spent years with r&b and rock groups, also working in films and as a session saxophonist.

Avery eventually returned to acoustic jazz, playing in prime form on a series of excellent recordings.

From 2022, Teodross Avery heads a quintet (The Cannonball Band) sponsored by Cannonball Musical Instruments comprised of pianist Melanie Shore, guitarist Kenji Aihara, bassist Matt Larson, and drummer Joel Stevenett.

They perform “Bad Attitude,” a funky jazz blues tune that swings.

Avery has the perfect sound for this type of music (hinting a little at Stanley Turrentine but in his own voice), pianist Shore takes an excellent solo, and the rhythm section conveys the feel of a New Orleans parade.

-Scott Yanow

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