Arthur Blythe

Brazil, 2003

The “Arthur Blythe Trio” are featured at the 2003 Chivas Jazz Festival in San Palo, Brazil.

Personnel:

Arthur Blythe, alto sax
Bob Stewart, tuba
Cecil Brooks, drums

Alto saxophonist, composer and bandleader Arthur Blythe was born on July 5, 1940, in Los Angeles, CA.

At 13, he was playing alto in an R&B band and made his recording debut on Horace Tapscott’s classic avant-garde “A Giant is Awakened.”

After moving to New York in the mid 70s he played with Chico Hamilton, the Gil Evans Orchestra, Lester Bowie, Jack DeJohnette and McCoy Tyner.

In 1977 Blythe released his debt album as leader “The Grip” rapidly followed the year by “Metamorphosis.”

His band would play Carnegie Hall in 1979 and in 1980 he was a featured performer on the Jack DeJohnette album “Special Edition.”

After a time with the all-star band “The Leaders” Blythe left the group, following the departure of Julius Hemphill, and went on to join the “World Saxophone Quartet.”