Joe Temperley (20 September 1929 – 11 May 2016) was a Scottish

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a majo ...

saxophonist. He performed with various instruments, but was most associated with the baritone saxophone,

soprano saxophone The soprano saxophone is a higher-register variety of the saxophone, a woodwind instrument invented in the 1840s. The soprano is the third-smallest member of the saxophone family, which consists (from smallest to largest) of the soprillo, so ...

, and

bass clarinet The bass clarinet is a musical instrument of the clarinet family. Like the more common soprano B clarinet, it is usually pitched in B (meaning it is a transposing instrument on which a written C sounds as B), but it plays notes an octave ...

Life

Temperley was born in

Cowdenbeath Cowdenbeath (; sco, Coudenbeith) is a town and burgh in west Fife, Scotland. It is north-east of Dunfermline and north of the capital, Edinburgh. The town grew up around the extensive coalfields of the area and became a police burgh in 18 ...

, Scotland, and grew up in

Lochgelly Lochgelly ( ; gd, Loch Gheallaidh, IPA: �ɫ̪ɔxˈʝaɫ̪ai is a town in Fife, Scotland. It is located between Lochs Ore and Gelly to the north-west and south-east respectively. It is separated from Cowdenbeath by the village of Lumphinna ...

.Vacher, Peter (17 May 2016
"Joe Temperley Obituary"
''

The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper A newspaper is a periodical publication containing written information about current events and is often typed in black ink with a white or gray background. Newspapers can cover a wide ...

'' His father was a bus driver."Joe Temperley, Jazz Saxophonist – Obituary"
(17 May 2016) ''

The Daily Telegraph ''The Daily Telegraph'', known online and elsewhere as ''The Telegraph'', is a national British daily broadsheet newspaper published in London by Telegraph Media Group and distributed across the United Kingdom and internationally. It was f ...

'' Temperley first played cornet, aged 12, then started on saxophone at the age of 14. Six months later, he got his first job at the Glasgow-based Tommy Sampson's Orchestra, having previously played in local dance bands. He joined

Humphrey Lyttelton Humphrey Richard Adeane Lyttelton (23 May 1921 – 25 April 2008), also known as Humph, was an English jazz musician and broadcaster from the Lyttelton family. Having taught himself the trumpet at school, Lyttelton became a professional ...

's London-based band in 1957 and stayed until 1965, when he moved to the US. After six months, he was recruited by

Woody Herman Woodrow Charles Herman (May 16, 1913 – October 29, 1987) was an American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, singer, and big band leader. Leading groups called "The Herd", Herman came to prominence in the late 1930s and was active until his dea ...

, with whom he toured for two years. He also performed or recorded with

Buddy Rich Bernard "Buddy" Rich (September 30, 1917 – April 2, 1987) was an American jazz drummer, songwriter, conductor, and bandleader. He is considered one of the most influential drummers of all time. Rich was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York ...

Joe Henderson Joe Henderson (April 24, 1937 – June 30, 2001) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. In a career spanning more than four decades, Henderson played with many of the leading American players of his day and recorded for several prominent l ...

Duke Pearson Columbus Calvin "Duke" Pearson Jr. (August 17, 1932 – August 4, 1980) was an American jazz pianist and composer. ''Allmusic'' describes him as having a "big part in shaping the Blue Note label's hard bop direction in the 1960s as a record produ ...

, the

Jazz Composer's Orchestra The Jazz Composer's Orchestra was an American jazz group, founded by Carla Bley and Michael Mantler in 1965, to perform orchestral avant-garde jazz. Its origins lay in the Jazz Composers Guild, an organization founded by Bill Dixon which grew out ...

The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra was a jazz big band formed by trumpeter Thad Jones and drummer Mel Lewis in New York in 1965.Lisik/Allen. 50 Years at the Village Vanguard:Thad Jone, Mel Lewis and the Village Vanguard Orchestra. Sky Dec ...

, and

Clark Terry Clark Virgil Terry Jr. (December 14, 1920 – February 21, 2015) was an American swing and bebop trumpeter, a pioneer of the flugelhorn in jazz, and a composer and educator. He played with Charlie Barnet (1947), Count Basie (1948–51), Duke ...

among many others. In October 1974, he toured and recorded with the

Duke Ellington Orchestra Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Ellington was bas ...

as a replacement for

Harry Carney Harry Howell Carney (April 1, 1910 – October 8, 1974) was a jazz saxophonist and clarinettist who spent over four decades as a member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra. He played a variety of instruments but primarily used the baritone saxophon ...

. During the 1980s, Temperley played in the

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

show '' Sophisticated Ladies''; and his film soundtrack credits included ''

Cotton Club The Cotton Club was a New York City nightclub from 1923 to 1940. It was located on 142nd Street and Lenox Avenue (1923–1936), then briefly in the midtown Theater District (1936–1940).Elizabeth Winter"Cotton Club of Harlem (1923- )" Blac ...

'', ''

Biloxi Blues ''Biloxi Blues'' is a semi-autobiographical play by Neil Simon. It portrays the conflict of Sergeant Merwin J. Toomey and Arnold Epstein, one of many privates enlisted in the military stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi, seen through the eyes of E ...

'', ''

Brighton Beach Memoirs ''Brighton Beach Memoirs'' is a semi-autobiographical play by Neil Simon, the first chapter in what is known as his Eugene trilogy. It precedes '' Biloxi Blues'' and '' Broadway Bound''. Productions ''Brighton Beach Memoirs'' had a pre-Broadway ...

'', '' When Harry Met Sally...'', and ''

Tune in Tomorrow ''Tune in Tomorrow'' is a 1990 American comedy film directed by Jon Amiel. It is based on the 1977 Mario Vargas Llosa novel '' Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter'', and was released under that same title in many countries. Relocated from the nove ...

'', the latter composed by

Wynton Marsalis Wynton Learson Marsalis (born October 18, 1961) is an American trumpeter, composer, teacher, and artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. He has promoted classical and jazz music, often to young audiences. Marsalis has won nine Grammy Awar ...

. He was a guest mentor of the Fife Youth Jazz Orchestra programme in Scotland. He was an original member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and served on the faculty of the

Juilliard School The Juilliard School ( ) is a private performing arts conservatory in New York City. Established in 1905, the school trains about 850 undergraduate and graduate students in dance, drama, and music. It is widely regarded as one of the most ...

for Jazz Studies. Temperley died of kidney failure and cancer in New York City on 11 May 2016, aged 86.Haga, Evan (12 May 2016
"Saxophonist Joe Temperley Dies"
''JazzTimes''

Discography

As leader

* ''

Just Friends ''Just Friends'' is a 2005 American Christmas comedy film directed by Roger Kumble, written by Adam 'Tex' Davis and starring Ryan Reynolds, Amy Smart, Anna Faris, Chris Klein and Christopher Marquette. The plot focuses on a formerly obes ...

'' with

Jimmy Knepper James Minter Knepper (November 22, 1927 – June 14, 2003) was an American jazz trombonist. In addition to his own recordings as leader, Knepper performed and recorded with Charlie Barnet, Woody Herman, Claude Thornhill, Stan Kenton, Benny Goo ...

(Hep, 1979) * ''When You're Smiling'' with Benny Waters (Hep, 1981) * ''Concerto for Joe'' (Hep, 1995) * ''Sunbeam and Thundercloud'' with

Dave McKenna Dave McKenna (May 30, 1930 – October 18, 2008) was an American jazz pianist known primarily as a solo pianist and for his " three-handed" swing style. He was a significant figure in the evolution of jazz piano. Career He was born in Woonsock ...

(Concord Jazz, 1996) * ''With Every Breath'' (Hep, 1998) * ''Double Duke'' (Naxos, 1999) * '' Live at the Floating Jazz Festival'' with

Kenny Davern John Kenneth Davern (January 7, 1935 – December 12, 2006) was an American jazz clarinetist. Biography He was born in Huntington, Long Island, to a family of mixed Jewish and Irish-Catholic ancestry. His mother's family originally came from ...

(

Chiaroscuro Chiaroscuro ( , ; ), in art, is the use of strong contrast (vision), contrasts between light and dark, usually bold contrasts affecting a whole composition. It is also a technical term used by artists and art historians for the use of contrasts ...

, 2000) * ''Saxploitation'' with Kathy Stobart (Spotlite, 2001) * ''Monk'' with

Junior Mance Julian Clifford Mance, Jr. (October 10, 1928 – January 17, 2021), known as Junior Mance, was an American jazz pianist and composer. Biography Early life (1928–1947) Mance was born in Evanston, Illinois. When he was five years old, Mance st ...

(Chiaroscuro, 2003)

As sideman

With

Buck Clayton Wilbur Dorsey "Buck" Clayton (November 12, 1911 – December 8, 1991) was an American jazz trumpeter who was a member of Count Basie's orchestra. His principal influence was Louis Armstrong, first hearing the record "Confessin' That I Love You" ...

* ''The Great Buck Clayton'' (Polydor, 1964) * ''A Buck Clayton Jam Session'' (Chiaroscuro, 1974) * ''A Buck Clayton Jam Session Vol. IV'' (Chiaroscuro, 1977) * ''A Swingin' Dream'' (Stash, 1989) With

Eumir Deodato Eumir Deodato de Almeida (; born 22 June 1942) is a Brazilian pianist, composer, arranger and record producer, primarily in jazz but who has been known for his eclectic melding of genres, such as pop, rock, disco, rhythm and blues, classical ...

* ''Deodato 2'' (CTI, 1973) * ''Whirlwinds'' (MCA, 1974) * ''In Concert'' (CTI, 1974) With

Duke Ellington Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Ellington was ba ...

Orchestra * ''Continuum'' (Fantasy, 1976) * ''Music Is My Mistress'' (Musicmasters, 1989) * ''Four Symphonic Works by Duke Ellington'' (Musical Heritage Society, 1989) * ''Thank You Uncle Edward'' (Renma, 2007) With

and Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra * ''Crescent City Christmas Card'' (Columbia, 1989) * ''Tune in Tomorrow'' (Columbia, 1990) * ''Portraits by Ellington'' (Columbia, 1992) * ''Big Train'' (Columbia/Sony, 1999) * ''Live in Swing City, Swingin' with Duke'' (Columbia, 1999) * ''Essentially Ellington 2000'' (Warner, 2000) * ''Plays the Music of Duke Ellington'' (Brooks Brothers, 2004) * ''A Love Supreme'' (Palmetto, 2004) * ''Cast of Cats'' (Brooks Brothers, 2004) * ''Don't Be Afraid...the Music of Charles Mingus'' (Palmetto, 2005) * ''Vitoria Suite'' (EmArcy, 2010) * ''Portrait in Seven Shades'' (Jazz at Lincoln Center, 2010) * ''Live in Cuba'' (Blue Engine, 2016) With

* ''Humph in Perspective'' (Parlophone, 1958) * ''Blues in the Night'' (Columbia, 1960) * ''Hump and Friends'' (Metronome, 1961) * ''Late Night Final'' (Columbia, 1963) * ''Humphrey Lyttelton and His Band'' (Society, 1965) * ''Duke Ellington Classics'' (Black Lion, 1971) * ''Humph Dedicates'' (Vocalion, 2005) With others * John Barry, ''The Cotton Club'' (Geffen, 1984) * Luiz Bonfa, ''Manhattan Strut'' (Paddle Wheel, 1997) *

Ann Hampton Callaway Ann Hampton Callaway (born May 30, 1958) is an American jazz singer, songwriter, and actress. She wrote and sang the theme song for the TV series ''The Nanny''. Career A native of Chicago, her father, John Callaway, was a journalist and her moth ...

, ''To Ella with Love'' (After 9, 1996) *

Benny Carter Bennett Lester Carter (August 8, 1907 – July 12, 2003) was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, trumpeter, composer, arranger, and bandleader. With Johnny Hodges, he was a pioneer on the alto saxophone. From the beginning of his career ...

, '' Over the Rainbow'' (Musicmasters, 1989) *

Aaron Diehl Aaron Diehl (born September 22, 1985) is an American jazz pianist. Diehl is considered a jazz virtuoso and composer. He is the 2014 Monterey Jazz Festival Commission Artist, becoming one of the youngest artists to receive this honor, and compos ...

, ''Space Time Continuum'' (Mack Avenue, 2015) *

Victor Feldman Victor Stanley Feldman (7 April 1934 – 12 May 1987) was an English jazz musician who played mainly piano, vibraphone, and percussion. He began performing professionally during childhood, eventually earning acclaim in the UK jazz scene as ...

, ''In London Vol. 2 Big Band'' (Tempo, 1957) *

Wycliffe Gordon Wycliffe A. Gordon (born May 29, 1967) is an American jazz trombonist, arranger, composer, band leader, and music educator at the collegiate-conservatory level. Gordon also sings and plays didgeridoo, trumpet, soprano trombone, tuba, and piano. ...

, ''Slidin' Home'' (Nagel Heyer, 1999) * Scott Hamilton &

Warren Vaché Jr. Warren Vaché (born February 21, 1951) is an American jazz trumpeter, cornetist, and flugelhornist. He was born in Rahway, New Jersey, United States. He came from a musical family as his father was a bassist. In 1976, he released his first album ...

, ''Skyscrapers'' (Concord Jazz, 1980) * Michael Hashim, ''Multi-Coloured Blue'' (Hep, 1999) *

, ''Big Band'' (Verve, 1996) * Jon Hendricks, ''Freddie Freeloader'' (Denon, 1990) *

, ''Woody Live East and West'' (Columbia, 1967) *

Dick Hyman Richard Hyman (born March 8, 1927) is an American jazz pianist and composer. Over a 70-year career, he has worked as a pianist, organist, arranger, music director, electronic musician, and composer. He was named a National Endowment for the Art ...

, ''From the Age of Swing'' (Reference, 1994) *

, ''Central Park North'' (Solid State, 1969) * The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, ''The Groove Merchant'' (LaserLight 1999) * O'Donel Levy, '' Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky'' (Groove Merchant, 1974) *

Gerry Mulligan Gerald Joseph Mulligan (April 6, 1927 – January 20, 1996), also known as Jeru, was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, composer and arranger. Though primarily known as one of the leading jazz baritone saxophonists—playing the instrum ...

, ''Walk on the Water'' (DRG, 1980) * Ted Nash, ''Presidential Suite: Eight Variations on Freedom'' (Motema, 2016) * Paula West, ''Come What May'' (Hi Horse, 2001) *

Ernie Wilkins Ernest Brooks Wilkins Jr. (July 20, 1922 – June 5, 1999) was an American jazz saxophonist, conductor and arranger who spent several years with Count Basie. He also wrote for Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, and Dizzy Gillespie. He was musical dire ...

, ''Hard Mother Blues'' (Mainstream, 1970) * Ernie Wilkins, ''Screaming Mothers'' (Mainstream, 1974) * Anthony Wilson, ''Goat Hill Junket'' (Mama, 1998) * Glenn Zottola, ''Christmas in Jazztime'' (Dreamstreet, 1986)

References

External links

Joe Temperley biography
–

BBC Music BBC Music is responsible for the music played across the BBC. The current director of music is Bob Shennan, who is also the controller of BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 6 Music, and the BBC Asian Network. Officially it is a part of the BBC's Radio ...

website
Joe Temperley's bio at Jazz at Lincoln Center

Tribute to Joe Temperley at Jazz at Lincoln Center
{{DEFAULTSORT:Temperley, Joe 1929 births 2016 deaths Scottish jazz saxophonists British male saxophonists Bass clarinetists People from Lochgelly British male jazz musicians 20th-century saxophonists 20th-century Scottish musicians 20th-century British male musicians 21st-century saxophonists 21st-century Scottish musicians 21st-century British male musicians People from Cowdenbeath Juilliard School alumni