Supersax

Supersax was a jazz group created in 1972 by saxophonist Med Flory and bassist Buddy Clark, in tribute to iconic bebop saxophonist Charlie Parker. The group's music consisted of harmonized arrangements of Charlie Parker improvisations played by a saxophone section (2 altos, 2 tenors, and a baritone), rhythm section (bass, piano and drums), and a brass instrument (trombone or trumpet).

Supersax
GenresJazz
LabelsCapitol, MPS, Columbia
Past members

History

Notable brass soloists that recorded with the group included Conte Candoli (trumpet), Frank Rosolino (trombone) and Carl Fontana (trombone). On the group's recordings their music was tightly orchestrated, with arrangements by Flory that contained little or no calls for improvisation (although members of the band would often solo at live performances).[1]

Saxophonist Warne Marsh was a member in the first edition of the group, and although he was never given freedom to solo on any officially released materials, Lee Konitz has stated that there are bootleg tapes of the group where Warne played a solo.[2]

They won the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance by a Group in 1974. They were also part of the Grammy-nominated 1983 recording "Supersax & L.A. Voices, Volume 1", in which the L.A. Voices were nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Performance - Duo Or Group. Med Flory also wrote the vocal arrangements for this recording.[3]

Discography
  • Supersax Plays Bird (1972, Capitol)
  • Supersax Plays Bird, Volume 2: Salt Peanuts (1973, Capitol)
  • Supersax plays Bird with Strings (1974, Capitol)
  • Chasin' the Bird (1977, MPS)
  • Dynamite (1978, MPS)
  • Supersax & L.A. Voices, Volume 1 (1983, Epic Sony)
  • Supersax & L.A. Voices, Volume 2 (1984, Columbia)
  • Supersax & L.A. Voices, Volume 3: Straighten Up and Fly (1986, Columbia)
  • Stone Bird (1989, Columbia)
  • The Joy of Sax (1990)
  • Live in '75 (1998)
  • Live in '75: Japanese Tour (1999)
  • Chasin' The Bird/Dynamite!! (2012, MPS)

References
  1. Heckman, Don (15 March 2014). "Med Flory dies at 87; alto saxophonist and actor founded Grammy-winning jazz group Supersax". Los Angeles Times.
  2. Yanow, Scott. "Supersax Biography". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  3. Heckman, Don (17 January 2008). "Jazz Wave, Supersax soar on Bird's wings". Los Angeles Times.
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