Illinois Jacquet Centennial Celebration

Illinois Jacquet Centennial Celebration
Bill Easley and The Lewis Nash Trio

Bill Easley-sax, Mike Kocour-piano, Chris Finet-bass, Lewis Nash-drums

llinois Jacquet was one of the most influential tenor saxophonists in the history of jazz. On his very first recording at the age of 19 with Lionel Hampton, Jacquet spawned an entirely new style and sound for tenor saxophone with his legendary solo on “Flying Home,” which is widely regarded as the most famous solo in jazz history. Two years later, while improvising with Nat King Cole on piano and Les Paul on guitar at a benefit concert, Jacquet played a three-minute solo on a tune later to be entitled “Philharmonic Blues, Part II” that became a blueprint for future generations of saxophonists and the formula for what evolved into Rhythm and Blues. (A more extensive bio can be found HERE)