Great Players Earl Bostic

[onecat]

Earl Bostic is my inspiration for switching from tenor to alto after 10 years of playing tenor exclusively. I have never heard anyone get as wide a variety of sounds out of one instrument. I think he could cut many players. He also had a warm style that he played from the heart. Technically he was amazing, was said to know more about saxophones than anyone around, and could play at amazingly fast tempos. Coltrane was in his big band in the 40's and was influenced and inspired by Bostic. It is hard to find Bostic CD's but I have located some old LP's on the King label. These really sound fantastic and I am often moved to tears listening to them.

 

[Jules]

one of my heroes too. you can get a few of his CDs on amazon.com- 'blows a fuse' is my personal recommendation.

 

[john_laughter]

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=182011657

 

[Semiquaver]

Onecat.

If you go to my blog, look down the left side and click on the youtube link 'Hurricane Smith' you will see someone playing in the Bostic gruff style.

He was chosen to play the solo on this pop record of the 70's because he could recreate the typical 'Bostic' sound.

Oh.... and it's my dad.

 

[Linky Lee]

Love Bostic and I'll second the blows a fuse album. But by it via Pete's amazon shop and help out the charities!

 

[Jules]

Linky_Lee wrote:
Love Bostic and I'll second the blows a fuse album. But by it via Pete's amazon shop and help out the charities!

here here- it's listed in my section...

 

[john_laughter]

Jeff, I sent a PM about your Dad!

 

[mfox]

one of my first introductions to jazz was earl bostic (no relation to count evostik).. and i still love to listen to him..

 

[onecat]

wow, your dad really sounds like Bostic. Thanks for that link.

Semiquaver wrote:
Onecat.

If you go to my blog, look down the left side and click on the youtube link 'Hurricane Smith' you will see someone playing in the Bostic gruff style.

He was chosen to play the solo on this pop record of the 70's because he could recreate the typical 'Bostic' sound.

Oh.... and it's my dad.

 

[onecat]

John Laughter wrote:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=182011657

thanks, more info here than on wiki.

 

[suethesax]

I love Bostic. He was my dad's favourite when he was young and he introduced me to his music as a child. Have loved listening to him ever since. I have Flamingo as my ring tone on my mobile 🙂 - tat always raises eyebrows in boring business meetings!

 

[AlanU]

Love his playing.
Have you heard that fantastic run on 'Steam whistle jump' which is really 'A train'? Stunning.

I find the instrumentation very much of its period and thus quite dated.
His 'Harlem Nocturne' for example makes me think of sleazy 1950s b/w gangster movies.

I think he played a King.
Any ideas on what mouthpiece though?

 

[Pete Thomas]

I think it was a Beechler. And I think the horn was a Martin. King is his record label.

 

[Jules]

On the cover of "...Blows a Fuse" I'd been informed that he was shown with and old Buescher mouthpiece

 

[Pete Thomas]

Well, like us all, he probably had a bit of G.A.S. from time to time