Don Byas

Carlos Wesley (Don) Byas (October 21, 1912–August 24, 1972) was a popular African-American jazz musician born in Muskogee, Oklahoma in the United States. Although his long residence in Europe kept him out of the public eye in the United States, he is widely considered to be one of the great jazz tenor saxophonists.

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October 21 - 1912 - August 24 - 1972 - African-American - Jazz musician - Muskogee, Oklahoma - United States - Saxophonist

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He began his career in swing, playing with Lionel Hampton, Buck Clayton, Don Redman, Lucky Millinder, Andy Kirk, and Count Basie. In the 1940s he also jammed and worked with bop musicians, including Dizzy Gillespie. He also recorded extensively.

Related Topics:
Swing - Lionel Hampton - Buck Clayton - Don Redman - Lucky Millinder - Andy Kirk - Count Basie - 1940s - Bop - Dizzy Gillespie

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In 1946 he toured Europe with Don Redman, and moved there. He lived in France, Denmark, or the Netherlands for the rest of his life. He worked extensively in Europe, often with such touring American musicians as Art Blakey, Kenny Clarke, Duke Ellington, Gillespie, Jazz at the Philharmonic, Bud Powell, and Ben Webster.

Related Topics:
Europe - France - Denmark - Netherlands - Art Blakey - Kenny Clarke - Duke Ellington - Jazz at the Philharmonic - Bud Powell - Ben Webster

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He also recorded with fado singer Amália Rodrigues during his time in Europe.

Related Topics:
Fado - Amália Rodrigues

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He died in Amsterdam, of lung cancer.

Related Topics:
Amsterdam - Lung cancer

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