John Purcell (musician)

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John Raymond Purcell (born May 8, 1952, New York City) is an American jazz saxophonist.[1]

Biography

Purcell was raised in

tumor on his larynx
, which prevented him from playing for a year; he devoted this time to studying instrument design.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s Purcell worked freelance in many local New York ensembles and in

Onaje Allen Gumbs (1983), Muhal Richard Abrams (1983–90), He recorded with the Roger Dawson septet featuring Hilton Ruiz piano, Claudio Roditi trumpet, John Betsch drums, percussionist Milton Cardona and bassist Anthony Cox(1983). American Jazz Orchestra (1985–91), Third Kind of Blue with Ronnie Burrage and again with another date for Anthony Cox (1984–87), Tania Maria (1984), Henry Butler (1987) He did work as a consultant for film and television shows in the 1980s and 1990s, and appears in the 1985 film The Cotton Club
.

Unlike many reed players, Purcell is proficient on virtually all the reeds from piccolo, bass clarinet, flute, alto flute, oboe, tenor, alto and soprano saxes, a great reader who is also an original improvisor which made him a natural to replace

Special Edition This group also helped the careers of many lesser-known young horn players, as it had a rotating front line that included Purcell, David Murray, Arthur Blythe, Chico Freeman, and bassist Rufus Reid
.

Purcell has taught at Westchester Conservatory (1970–80),

Rutgers (1987–90) and the Manhattan School of Music
(1987–94). He also taught Jazz and World Music at the California State University at Monterey Bay in Seaside, California during the late 90s.

Discography

As leader

As sideman

With Muhal Richard Abrams

With Henry Butler

  • The Village (Impulse!, 1987)

With Benny Carter

With Jack DeJohnette

With Dennis González

With Julius Hemphill

With Meco

With David Murray

With David Sanborn

  • Upfront (Elektra, 1992)
  • Hearsay (Elektra, 1995)
  • Pearls (Elektra, 1995)

With World Saxophone Quartet

References

  • Gary W. Kennedy, "John Purcell".
    Grove Jazz
     online.
  1. ^ Allmusic
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