An influential force in pushing the boundaries of avant-garde, post-bebop jazz in the 1970s and 80s, Arthur Blythe was recognised as one of the finest alto saxophone players of his generation and a natural successor to the likes of Benny Carter, John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman.

Growing up in San Diego, Blythe first started learning the saxophone at the age of nine and played in R&B groups during his teenage years before discovering jazz and moving to Los Angeles in 1960 to perform with Horace Tapscott's collective The Union of God's Musicians and Artists Ascension. He moved on to New York in the 1970s and played with Chico Hamilton and the Gil Evans Orchestra, and became part of the loft scene in Manhattan, where artists would gather in industrial spaces for experimental, free-form jam sessions. Early independent releases 'The Grip' and 'Bush Baby' led to a major label deal with Columbia Records and his punchy, sprawling style was defined on his iconic, landmark record 'Lenox Avenue Breakdown' in 1978.

The unusual use of tuba player Bob Stewart was another key element to his distinctive sound and although his ideas were wild, instinctive and imaginative, his stand-out recordings 'Metamorphosis', 'Blythe Spirit' and 'Illusions' were melodic and accessible and had their roots in the jazz traditions. In a career that continued over five decades he also played on Jack DeJohnette's classic album 'Special Edition', was part of the supergroup The Leaders with Chico Freeman and Don Cherry, and joined the World Saxophone Quartet in the '90s before finding success again in his later years with 2002's highly acclaimed album 'Focus'. After a long struggle with Parkinson's Disease he died in 2017, aged 76, in Lancaster, California.

Arthur Blythe

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