Alan Skidmore

British jazz tenor saxophonist Alan Skidmore was born in London, England on April 21, 1942. The son of saxophonist Jimmy Skidmore, he took up the saxophone at the age of 15 after receiving one of his father’s discarded instruments. Alan Skidmore’s professional career began in 1958 when he toured with artists such as singer Matt Monro and comedian Tony Hancock. Alan Skidmore made his first radio appearance in 1961 on BBC Radio’s Jazz Club. He then spent the next decade performing with high profile artists such as Alexis Korner, Ronnie Scott, Georgie Fame, and John Mayall. Alan Skidmore also spent five years as a member of the house band at the popular Talk of the Town nightclub in London. In the late 1960s, he formed his own quintet and went on to win the Best Soloist and Best Band awards at the 1969 Montreux International Jazz Festival. Some of the group’s recordings were released in 1972 on the album Jazz in Britain ’68-’69. Alan Skidmore was co-founder of S.O.S., the first all-saxophone ensemble, who released the S.O.S. album in 1975. As a member of the European Jazz Quintett, he was featured on the album Live at Moers Festival in 1977. He also formed other groups including El Skid, Tenor Tonic, and S.O.H., who released their self-titled album in 1979. Further albums in Alan Skidmore’s catalog include Tribute to Trane (1988), After the Rain (1998), and The Call (1999). Often referred to as one of the finest sax players in England, he has continued to work with a variety of acts including the Charlie Watts Orchestra, Mose Allison, Van Morrison, Georgie Fame (again) and many others.

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