Scottish jazz great Joe Temperley dies
Baritone saxophonist and bass clarinettist Joe Temperley, who played with Duke Ellington and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, has died aged 86.
Scottish saxophonist Joe Temperley has died at the age of 86.
Temperley came from Lochgelly in Fife. He played with Humphrey Lyttelton during the 1950s before moving to New York City in 1965. He played baritone sax with Duke Ellington Orchestra, The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra and recently with Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra directed by Wynton Marsalis. A globally respected musician, considered a giant of Scottish jazz, Temperley believed in the daily ritual of regular practice. Commenting on his playing long into his advanced years he said, ”as long as I can do it, I will do it. As Duke Ellington said ‘retire, to do what?'. I'm living my dream.”
As well as membership of some of the World's greatest jazz orchestras and recording several of his own albums, he played on Broadway shows. He always maintained a tangible link with Scotland where he mentored young musicians in the Fife Youth Jazz Orchestra.