Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

August 3, 1960 in St. Louis, MO

 

Greg Osby is a renowned American jazz saxophonist, composer, and bandleader. He was born on April 3, 1960, in St. Louis, Missouri, and grew up in a musical family. His father played the trumpet, and his mother was a pianist. Osby started playing the saxophone at the age of thirteen and was soon performing in local clubs and venues. Osby attended Howard University in Washington, D.C., where he studied music theory and composition. He also played in the school's jazz band, which was directed by the legendary jazz drummer, Roy Haynes. After graduating from Howard, Osby moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. In the early 1980s, Osby began playing with some of the most prominent jazz musicians of the time, including Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, and Jack DeJohnette. He also played with the influential jazz fusion band, Return to Forever, led by Chick Corea. Osby's playing style was heavily influenced by the bebop and post-bop styles of Charlie Parker and John Coltrane, but he also incorporated elements of funk, hip-hop, and electronic music into his compositions. In 1987, Osby released his debut album, "Season of Renewal," on the JMT label. The album featured his original compositions and showcased his unique approach to jazz improvisation. The album received critical acclaim and established Osby as a rising star in the jazz world. Over the next decade, Osby released several more albums, including "Symbols of Light (A Solution)" (1995), "Art Forum" (1996), and "Banned in New York" (1998). These albums featured collaborations with other jazz musicians, including pianist Geri Allen, drummer Andrew Cyrille, and guitarist Jim Hall. Osby's music continued to evolve, incorporating elements of avant-garde jazz, free jazz, and electronic music. In 2000, Osby signed with the Blue Note label, one of the most prestigious jazz labels in the world. His first album for Blue Note, "Invisible Hand," was released in 2002 and featured his working band at the time, which included pianist Megumi Yonezawa, bassist Matt Brewer, and drummer Damion Reid. The album received critical acclaim and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album. Osby continued to release albums on Blue Note throughout the 2000s, including "St. Louis Shoes" (2003), "Channel Three" (2005), and "9 Levels" (2008). These albums featured collaborations with other jazz musicians, including pianist Jason Moran, guitarist Lionel Loueke, and drummer Eric Harland. Osby's music during this period continued to push the boundaries of jazz, incorporating elements of hip-hop, electronic music, and world music. In addition to his work as a bandleader, Osby has also been a prolific sideman, playing on albums by other jazz musicians, including Jack DeJohnette, Joe Lovano, and Andrew Hill. He has also been a mentor to many young jazz musicians, including pianist Aaron Parks and saxophonist Miguel Zenón. Osby has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. In 1990, he was named Best New Talent in the DownBeat Critics Poll. He has also been named Best Alto Saxophonist in the DownBeat Critics Poll multiple times. In 2009, he was awarded the Jazz Journalists Association's Jazz Award for Alto Saxophonist of the Year. Osby's contributions to jazz have been recognized not only by his peers but also by the academic community.

More....