Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

April 10, 1954 in Las Cruces, NM

Genre

:

Avant-Garde

 

 

Chamber

 

 

Orchestral

 

Lenny Pickett is a renowned American saxophonist, composer, and arranger who has made significant contributions to the world of jazz and classical music. Born on April 10, 1954, in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Pickett grew up in a musical family and started playing the clarinet at the age of eight. He later switched to the saxophone and began performing in local bands while still in high school. After graduating from high school, Pickett attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied music theory and composition. He also played in the university's jazz band and honed his skills as a saxophonist. In 1976, Pickett moved to San Francisco and joined the legendary Tower of Power, a funk and soul band known for its horn section. Pickett's powerful saxophone playing and dynamic stage presence quickly made him a standout member of the band. During his time with Tower of Power, Pickett also began to establish himself as a composer and arranger. He wrote several songs for the band, including "Soul Vaccination" and "Only So Much Oil in the Ground," which became hits in the 1970s. Pickett's arrangements for Tower of Power's horn section were also highly acclaimed and helped to define the band's sound. In 1985, Pickett left Tower of Power to pursue a solo career and focus on his work as a composer and arranger. He released his first solo album, "The Prescription," in 1987, which featured a mix of jazz, funk, and R&B. The album received critical acclaim and established Pickett as a solo artist. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Pickett continued to work as a composer and arranger for a variety of artists and projects. He arranged the horn section for David Bowie's "Let's Dance" album and worked with artists such as Talking Heads, Elton John, and Whitney Houston. Pickett also composed music for television and film, including the theme song for the popular sketch comedy show "Saturday Night Live." In addition to his work as a composer and arranger, Pickett has also been a highly respected saxophonist and bandleader. He has released several albums as a bandleader, including "Lenny Pickett with the Borneo Horns" and "The Prescription," and has performed with jazz legends such as Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock. Pickett's contributions to classical music have also been significant. In 1992, he was appointed as the musical director of the Monterey Jazz Festival, where he worked to incorporate classical music into the festival's programming. He also composed a concerto for saxophone and orchestra, which was premiered by the San Francisco Symphony in 1995. Pickett's classical compositions have been highly acclaimed and have earned him numerous awards and honors. In 2004, he was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship for his work as a composer, and in 2016, he was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Today, Pickett continues to be an active performer, composer, and arranger. He is a member of the Saturday Night Live Band and continues to work with a variety of artists and projects. His contributions to the world of jazz and classical music have been significant, and his innovative approach to music has inspired countless musicians and fans around the world.

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