Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

September 20, 1929 in Fife, Scotland

Death

:

May 11, 2016 in New York City, NY

 

Joe Temperley was a Scottish-born jazz saxophonist and clarinetist who made a name for himself in the world of classical music. Born on September 20, 1929, in Lochgelly, Fife, Scotland, Temperley grew up in a musical family. His father played the accordion, and his mother sang in the local choir. As a child, Temperley was drawn to the sound of the saxophone, and he began playing the instrument at the age of 14. Temperley's early musical education was informal, and he learned to play by listening to recordings of jazz greats like Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young. He also played in local dance bands and jazz groups, honing his skills and developing his own unique style. In 1952, he moved to London to pursue a career in music, and he quickly established himself as one of the city's top jazz musicians. In the early 1960s, Temperley began to explore classical music, and he became interested in the bass clarinet. He studied with the renowned clarinetist Jack Brymer, and he soon became a sought-after session musician, playing on recordings by artists like The Beatles and Frank Sinatra. In 1974, he joined the Duke Ellington Orchestra, and he remained with the group until Ellington's death in 1974. Temperley's time with the Ellington Orchestra was a highlight of his career, and he was widely regarded as one of the finest saxophonists of his generation. He played on some of the group's most famous recordings, including "The Far East Suite" and "The Afro-Eurasian Eclipse," and he was a featured soloist on many of the band's live performances. After Ellington's death, Temperley continued to perform and record, both as a solo artist and as a member of various ensembles. He also became a respected educator, teaching at the Juilliard School in New York City and at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow. Throughout his career, Temperley received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music. In 1998, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire for his services to music, and in 2010, he was inducted into the Scottish Jazz Hall of Fame. He also received honorary doctorates from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the University of St. Andrews. Temperley continued to perform and record well into his 80s, and he remained a beloved figure in the world of jazz and classical music until his death on May 11, 2016, at the age of 86. His legacy lives on through his recordings, his students, and the countless musicians he inspired over the course of his long and illustrious career.

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