Jimmy Hill

Jimmy Hill’s 60-some many years of performing saxophone began when he made off using the horn his older sibling kept concealed in a closet. Hill began gigging appropriately at clubs within the ’40s while still in senior high school, but his documenting career didn’t actually start until his final years, when he started a superb group of self-produced produces featuring his functioning music group. Hill was highly identified using the tri-state picture of NY, NJ, and Pa, where he gained great respect for his educational efforts. The reed participant founded and directed Youngsters Theatre Connections, Inc., an after-school executing arts plan for Yonkers and Westchester region children. He was also connected with bandleaders such as for example vocalist Etta Jones, to whom he devoted an excellent tribute record, saxophonists Sonny Stitt and Houston Person, organists Gloria Coleman and Dr. Lonnie Smith, pianist Cedar Walton, and guitarist Joe Puma. Hill discovered to try out by hearing, his head actually within a bucket — such as the Bucket, a jazz jam membership that had exactly the same position in Mt. Vernon, NY, as Minton’s do in ny correct. While Hill stated to haven’t used a “formal” lesson, he do research with players such as for example Mike Mainieri and Sal Mosca, absorbing some areas of the tough Lennie Tristano college despite the fact that Hill never discovered to learn music. That didn’t maintain him away from important venues such as for example Special Basil in NEW YORK, and Hill also performed at a number of celebrations and concerts within the jazz mecca aswell. Within the ’90s, Hill centered on his very own group with least on his documenting dates had the advantage of a regular lineup. Hiroshi Yamazaki on piano, Fred Hunter on bass, and Joe Ragusa on drums done the group, which also occasionally highlighted vocalist Glenda Davenport. His 2001 discharge entitled Friends is normally focused on Etta Jones, with whom Hill also documented on her record entitled FINALLY. Hill’s energetic operate came to a finish on June 9, 2004 once the saxophonist passed on due to emphysema. He was 76.