- published: 20 Jul 2014
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Fred Lipsius (born 19 November 1943, The Bronx, New York, U.S.) was the original saxophonist and arranger for the jazz-rock band Blood, Sweat & Tears, for which he played alto saxophone and piano. He was with the band from 1967 to 1971.
Before Blood, Sweat & Tears, Lipsius played with the Ronn Metcalfe Orchestra.
Lipsius has performed with Simon & Garfunkel, Janis Joplin, and jazz greats Cannonball Adderley, Thelonious Monk, Zoot Sims, Eddie Gómez, Al Foster, George Mraz, Larry Willis, Randy Brecker, Rodney Jones and many others. He has written music for and performed on over 30 CDs as both a leader and sideman. He has authored six books/CDs on jazz improvisation and jazz reading.
Lipsius now teaches at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Born in the Bronx, New York City on November 19, 1943, Lipsius began playing the clarinet at age 9, alto and tenor saxophones in Junior High School, and the piano at Music and Art High School in Manhattan. He continued his studies at Berklee School of Music (1961–62).