Name | Don Byas |
---|---|
Background | non_vocal_instrumentalist |
Birth name | Carlos Wesley Byas |
Birth date | October 21, 1912 |
Death date | August 24, 1972 |
Origin | Muskogee, Oklahoma, U.S. |
Instrument | Tenor saxophone |
Genre | BebopSwing}} |
Carlos Wesley "Don" Byas (born October 21, 1912 in Muskogee, Oklahoma – died August 24, 1972 in Amsterdam, Netherlands) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, long-resident in Europe.
Byas switched to the tenor saxophone after he moved to West Coast and played with various Los Angeles bands. In 1933, he took part in a West coast tour with Bert Johnson’s Sharps and Flats. He worked in Lionel Hampton’s band at the Paradise Club in 1935 along with the reed player and arranger Eddie Barefield and the trombonist Tyree Glenn. He was a member of various other bands in the area including those of Eddie Barefield, Buck Clayton (1936), Lorenzo Flennoy and Charlie Echols.
In early 1941, after a short stay with Paul Bascomb, he had his big break when Count Basie chose him to succeed the post of Lester Young in his big band.
Despite his bebop associations, Byas always remained deeply rooted in the sounds of swing. He started out by emulating Coleman Hawkins, but Byas always cited Art Tatum as his greater influence: "I haven't got any style, I just blow like Art".
While still in Geneva he recorded "Laura" and "How High the Moon". In December 1946 he recorded for the first time in France, with Redman, Tyree Glenn and Peanuts Holland. Recorded for the Swing and Blue Star labels (January 1947) working with Eddie Barclay. The years 1947 and 1948 found Byas in Barcelona, where he moved to enjoy the lower cost of living and the thriving atmosphere. He met many friends and had plenty of work. The pianist Tete Montoliu sneaked into the Copacabana Club in Barcelona to hear the great saxophone player. Byas was at the top of his form in these years, performing with Bernard Hilda's orchestra (August 1947), Francisco Sanchez Ortega, and Luis Rovira.
New Year's 1949, Bill Coleman; in the autumn toured with Buck Clayton. From 1948 onwards, Byas became a familiar figure not only around the Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris, but also on the Riviera, where he could be seen in Saint-Tropez sporting a mask, tuba, flippers and an underwater spear-gun. The tenor found work, could record regularly and had many friends. They adored not only his musical talent but also his skills at the pool table, as a sportsman (fishing and diving) and a chef who dished up Louisiana-style menus to the numerous admirers (mostly ladies) that would be found around this real bon vivant.
When Mary Lou Williams went to live in Paris from 1952 to 1954, the two of them renewed the friendship they formed when they played together in the Andy Kirk band in 1939-40 and later in 1944. They recorded together on Vogue in 1953. Byas also recorded with Beryl Booker in the same year.
He died in Amsterdam in 1972 from lung cancer, aged 59.
Category:1912 births Category:1972 deaths Category:Swing saxophonists Category:Bebop saxophonists Category:People from Muskogee, Oklahoma Category:African American musicians Category:American jazz tenor saxophonists Category:Deaths from lung cancer Category:Count Basie Orchestra members Category:Musicians from Oklahoma Category:Cancer deaths in the Netherlands
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