Yusef Lateef

Yusef Lateef shows that jazz and blues can be played on the oboe

In addition to his innovations as a tenor-saxophonist, flutist and bandleader, Yusef Lateef was the first significant jazz oboe soloist.

Appearing in Switzerland while on tour with the Cannonball Adderley Sextet in 1963, Lateef takes the 1920s blues standard “Trouble In Mind” as his showcase on oboe.

Lateef displays a beautiful and haunting sound, the fluidity of a flutist, and his own bluesy and soulful style..

Pianist Joe Zawinul and bassist Sam Jones also take solos during the medium-slow tempoed swinger.

Be sure to catch Lateef’s quote of “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” during his first solo.

Personnel:

Yusef Lateef, oboe
Joe Zawinul, piano
Sam Jones, bass
Louis Hayes, drums

– Scott Yanow