Joe Lovano

Joseph Salvatore Lovano (born 29 December 1952 in Cleveland, Ohio) is a jazz saxophonist and clarinet player. Since the 1970s, Lovano has been one of the world's premiere tenor saxophone players, earning a Grammy award and several nods on Down Beat magazine's critics' and readers' polls.

Early years

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Lovano was exposed throughout his early life to jazz by his father. Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, and Sonny Stitt were among his earlier influences. He developed further at Berklee College of Music, and then served a big band apprenticeship with Woody Herman's Thundering Herd and the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra.

Related Topics:
Coltrane - Dizzy Gillespie - Sonny Stitt - Berklee College of Music - Big band - Woody Herman - Mel Lewis

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His father Tony "Big T" Lovano, a fine Cleveland tenorman, was his first inspiration. He taught Joe all the standards, how to lead a gig, how to pace a set, and to be versatile enough to always find work. Joe started on alto at age six and switched to tenor five years later. He attended Berklee before working with Jack McDuff and Lonnie Smith. After three years with Woody Herman's Orchestra, Lovano moved to New York and began playing regularly with Mel Lewis? Big Band. This influence is still present in his solos. He often plays lines that convey the rhythmic drive and punch of an entire horn section.

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