Paul Quinichette | |
|---|---|
 Paul Quinichette (ca. 1950s) | |
| Background information | |
| Born | (1916-05-17)May 17, 1916 Denver, Colorado, U.S. |
| Died | May 25, 1983(1983-05-25) (aged 67) New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Tenor saxophone |
Paul Quinichette (May 17, 1916 – May 25, 1983)[1] was an Americanjazz tenor saxophonist. He was known as the "Vice President" or "Vice Prez" for his emulation of the breathy style ofLester Young, whose nickname was "The President", or simply "Prez". Young called Quinichette "Lady Q".[2]
Quinichette was born inDenver,Colorado.[3] He had clarinet and alto saxophone lessons as a child, before switching to tenor saxophone.[3] Around the age of 13, he had informal lessons fromLester Young.[3] Quinichette attendedDenver University, transferred toTennessee State College, and then returned to Denver University, from which he graduated in music. While in college he played with local bands, and during summer vacations he toured withNat Towles and the trumpeterLloyd Hunter.[3]
Quinichette worked withShorty Sherock in the late 1930s, and was then withErnie Fields (1942), andJay McShann (1942–43).[3] He was withJohnny Otis on the West Coast from 1945 to 1947, then went to New York withLouis Jordan in 1947.[4] In New York he played with various musicians before joiningCount Basie in 1951.[3] After two years with Basie, and buoyed by the success of his own recordings forEmArcy Records, Quinichette left to form his own band.[3]
In the mid to late 1950s, Quinichette also accompanied vocalistDinah Washington on EmArcy recordings, and played withBenny Goodman andNat Pierce (both 1955),John Coltrane (1957), andBillie Holiday.[3] In the following decade, poor health hindered his activities as a musician, and he took work as an electrical engineer.[3] Although still restricted, he resumed performing in 1973.[3]
Quinichette died in New York City on May 25, 1983.[3]
Grove comments that "Quinichette's style displayed a sense of swing unequaled among those musicians who followed Young."[3] Writing in 1959, criticJohn S. Wilson stated that, after leaving Basie, "Quinichette has inclined to a coarseness of tone and ideas and an attack that stems as much from the less palatable side ofIllinois Jacquet as it does from Young."[5]
WithGene Ammons
WithCount Basie
WithBob Brookmeyer
WithBillie Holiday
WithJay McShann
With The Prestige All Stars
WithSarah Vaughan
WithMal Waldron
WithDinah Washington
WithWebster Young
