Sal Nistico

Sal Nistico’s explosive tenor solos with Woody Herman within the middle-’60s helped help to make that release of Herman’s Herd right into a success. Originally an altoist, Nistico turned to tenor in 1956 and used R&B rings for 3 years. He gigged with and produced his documenting debut in 1959-1960 using the Jazz Brothers, a music group also including Chuck and Space Mangione. Nonetheless it was while with Herman in 1962-1965 that Nistico produced background. In 1965, he spent five weeks with Count number Basie. He came back to Basie in 1967 also to Herman on many events (1968-1970, 1971, 1981-1982), although minus the impact from the 1st stint. Normally, the tenor freelanced throughout his profession, using Don Ellis and Friend Rich but mainly dealing with pick-up organizations. Nistico recorded for a number of labels like a innovator including Riverside, Crimson, and Beehive.