Happy Birthday Tim Berne
October 16, 1954
Architect of Avant-Garde Saxophone
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Avant-garde jazz saxophonist Tim Berne was born on October 16, 1954, in Syracuse, New York.
A bold and uncompromising alto saxophonist whose adventurous spirit has made him a leading voice in avant-garde and experimental jazz. He came to music relatively late, picking up the saxophone during college. Deeply inspired by the revolutionary work of Julius Hemphill, Berne studied with him in the mid-1970s, an experience that shaped both his sound and his approach to composition.
Berne quickly carved out his place in the New York downtown scene of the 1980s, forming boundary-pushing ensembles and releasing music on his own label, Empire Records. His work with groups like Bloodcount, Science Friction, and Snakeoil showcased his trademark style, complex, extended compositions paired with fearless improvisation.
Highlights of his career include collaborations with forward-thinking artists such as Bill Frisell, John Zorn, and Craig Taborn, as well as acclaimed recordings on ECM that brought his innovative sound to wider audiences.
Renowned for blending intensity, intellect, and raw emotion, Tim Berne has built a career as one of the most original saxophonists and composers of his generation, continually expanding the language of modern jazz.
Tim Berne performing “Hong Kong Sad Song/More Coffee” on Night Music in 1990.
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