It’s You Or No One – 1987
Warne Marsh
The cool-toned tenor still in prime form just two months before his passing
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Tenor-saxophonist Warne Marsh (1927-87), who was closely associated with pianist Lennie Tristano and altoist Lee Konitz, had a cool and distinctive tone and the ability to play endlessly over chord changes without running out of inventive ideas.
He passed away on stage on Dec. 18, 1987 from a heart attack at the age of 60.
Just two months earlier, on Oct. 18, he gave the performance that is seen on this film clip, playing “It’s You Or No One” in a group with the young guitarist Larry Koonse (who already had his style together), bassist Seward McCain, and drummer Jim Zimmerman.
This relaxed performance, which has spots for his three sidemen, shows that Warne Marsh was still in his playing prime late in life.
-Scott Yanow
Ella Fitzgerald