August 17, 1918 – January 16, 1963

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Saxophonist Ike Abrams Quebec was born on August 17th, 1918 in Newark, New Jersey.

Quebec was a gifted pianist and dancer, but decided to focus on the tenor sax in his early 20s.

As a talent scout for Blue Note, he helped Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell reach a large audience.

In the late ‘50s, Quebec released a series of albums with the label, mostly in the then-popular hard bop style.

Beginning his recording career with the “Barons of Rhythm” in 1940.

Instantly recognizable for his big airy sound Ike Quebec was equally at home whether playing blues, ballads, and jump.

He proceeded to perform or record with artists including Hot Lips Page, Roy Eldridge, Coleman Hawkins, Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald, and Benny Carter.

Due in part to his struggles with addiction Ike only recorded sporadically during the 1950s but launched his come back in 1959.

In 1961 he recorded the “Blue & Sentimental” album released on Blue Note on which he is featured alternating between piano and tenor saxophone.

Ike Quebec’s success however was short lived, he succumbed to lung cancer on January 16, 1963.

Ike Quebec performs an original composition on his 1961 album “Blue and Sentimental.”

Personnel:

Ike Quebec, tenor sax & piano
Grant Green, guitar
Paul Chambers, bass
Philly Joe Jones, drums 

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