Lew Soloff, Trumpet, 1944, New York, NY
Lew received his education at the EastmanSchool and the Juilliard School of Music. During the mid '60s he worked in New York with Tony Scott, Machito, Gil Evans, and Tito Puente. In 1968 he joined Blood, Sweat and Tears, performing and touring internationally until 1973. He also performed with Clark Terry and Mongo Santamaria and recorded with theThad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra. In the early '80s he formed a quintet with Jon Faddis that enjoyed great popularity. In 1987, in a concert "Ornette Coleman Celebration "at Carnegie Hall, he performed as the soloist in "The Sacred Mind of Johnny Dolphin. Soloff is an accomplished player and has a firm, bright tone.
Bobby Jaspar, Saxophone, 1926, Belgium
Bobby learned piano and clarinet at an early age, but soon switched to alto and tenor sax, and by the age of 19 was playing in a dixieland group with Toots Thielmans. In 1954, while studying chemistry, he also began working with the flute and decided that music was his future. During the '50s he worked with his own group and with Sacha Distel. He also performed with visiting American musicians such as; Chet Baker, Jimmy Raney, and Blossom Dearie whom he eventually married. In 1956 he came to the U.S. and began working with J.J. Johnson's group which also included Elvin Jones. A year later he left Johnson and joined Miles Davis for a short period. From Miles's group he moved to Donald Byrd's band and then became a freelance. During the early '60s he was back in Europe where he performed and recorded with Chet Baker and others. Jaspar was considered one of the most talented European jazz musicians. His playing was influenced by Don Byas, Lester Young and Sonny Rollins. He developed his own expressive style, which led to his being highly respected by American musicians and critics alike. Bobby Jaspar died in 1963.
Nancy Wilson, Singer, 1937, Chillicothe, OH
Nancy gained early experience in nightclubs and on television in Columbus, Ohio, which is near her hometown. Her first big-band work was with Rusty Bryant's band touring the midwest and Canada during the mid '50s. In 1959 she sang with Cannonball Adderley's group. It was Cannonball who encouraged Nancy to go to New York. Soon after arriving in New York Nancy was signed to a contract with Capitol Records and soon received national recognition. Musicians recognized her talent immediately, and she was hailed as a major new artist in the U.S. and Europe. After concentrating on a career in popular music, in the early '80s Wilson began to work more frequently with jazz musicians. In 1980-81 Nancy toured and recorded with Hank Jones. Nancy is a remakably versatile interpreter of popular music, singing with a wide range of musical and emotional intensity reflecting the influence of Dinah Washington and Sarah Vaughan. In the world of music, overflowing with wonderful talent, Nancy wilson can be proud of the numerous awards she has won during an exciting career.
Jimmy Yancey, Piano, 1894, Chicago, IL
