Arthur Blythe

Arthur Blythe
Blythe at the North Sea Jazz Festival with The Leaders, 1989
Blythe at the North Sea Jazz Festival with The Leaders, 1989
Background information
Birth nameArthur Murray Blythe
Also known asBlack Arthur
Born(1940-07-05)July 5, 1940
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedMarch 27, 2017(2017-03-27) (aged 76)
Lancaster, California, U.S.
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician, bandleader, composer
InstrumentAlto saxophone
Years active1969–2017
LabelsColumbia, Enja, Savant Records

Arthur Murray Blythe (July 5, 1940 – March 27, 2017)[1] was an American jazz alto saxophonist and composer. He was described by critic Chris Kelsey as displaying "one of the most easily recognizable alto sax sounds in jazz, big and round, with a fast, wide vibrato and an aggressive, precise manner of phrasing" and furthermore as straddling the avant garde and traditionalist jazz, often with bands featuring unusual instrumentation.[1]

  1. ^ a b Kelsey, Chris. "Arthur Blythe Biography". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved March 28, 2017.