Benny Golson obit

Benny Golson Has Died

 

He was not on the list.

WKCR mourns the loss of Philly native jazz icon Benny Golson, after it was reported today that he has passed away at the age of 95. An incomparable musician, composer, and arranger, it is hard to imagine what the jazz world would be like today without his contributions over a near 70-year career.

Golson was born in Philadelphia in 1929, and grew up surrounded by a vibrant musical community, going to sessions and practicing from the time he was a teen with musicians like John Coltrane and the Heath Brothers. Throughout the ‘50s, he joined different bands led by ​​the likes of Tadd Dameron, Lionel Hampton, and Dizzy Gillespie, but one of the biggest early career moments for him occurred in 1955 when his friend John Coltrane brought Golson’s tune “Stablemates” to a session led by Miles Davis. This led to Miles recording the tune, which was released on the 1956 album: “​​Miles: The New Miles Davis Quintet”. Over his career, Benny Golson wrote many other compositions that have become an essential part of the jazz standard repertoire. His work with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and the Jazztet (which he founded with Art Farmer) remain today some of the most influential recordings made in jazz, and are a testament to his inimitable and special voice as an improviser, composer, arranger, and creative director.

WKCR will host a special tribute to celebrate Benny Golson’s life and career on Wednesday, September 25th from 10am till 10pm. For more information about the tribute and to tune in, please visit wkcr.org or follow us on social media for updates.

orn in Philadelphia on January 25, 1929, Golson began learning the piano at age nine, then switched to the saxophone when he was 14. While a student at Benjamin Franklin High School in Philadelphia, he played with several other promising young musicians, including John Coltrane, Red Garland, Jimmy Heath, Percy Heath, Philly Joe Jones, and Red Rodney. He later attended Howard University.