Lynn Hope, also known as El Hajj Abdullah Rasheed Ahmad, (September 26, 1926[1] – February 24, 1993)[2] was an American jazz and blues tenor saxophonist.
He was born in Birmingham, Alabama, United States.[2] Hope was noted for his instrumental remakes of established pre-rock pop anthems.[3] Hope joined King Kolax's band when he graduated from high school in Birmingham during the 1940s. After converting to Islam, he became noted for wearing a turban or fez.[3]
Hope signed with Miracle Records in 1950, but the contract proved invalid.[3] He moved to Premium Records, where he recorded "Tenderly," a song that was later picked up by Chess Records.[3] Hope recorded often for Aladdin Records between 1951 and 1957, doing such reworked standards as "September Song" and "Summertime."[3] These numbers were often performed with little or no melodic embellishment or improvisation; however the B-sides were often up tempo blues or jump tunes.[1] "Tenderly" earned Hope his only hit in 1950, reaching number eight on the US Billboard R&B chart and number 19 on the pop music chart.[1]
Hope recorded his last sessions for King in 1960, but then seemingly left the music industry.[1]
Hope died in February 1993, at the age of 66, in Collingswood, New Jersey, United States.[2]