Al Cohn

Al Cohn, born in Brooklyn, NY, went on to become not only a brilliant jazz tenor saxophonist, but an arranger, leader and sideman par excellence. From the "Al Cohn Memorial Jazz Collection," East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania website: "His career in jazz spanned more than 45 years. He performed with the bands of Henry Jerome, Joe Marsala, Georgie Auld, Alvino Rey, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Artie Shaw, Elliot Lawrence and others. Many of the arrangements used by these bands were written by Al, and he also arranged for Gerry Mulligan, Quincy Jones, Terry Gibbs and Jimmy Rushing.

In Herman’s band, he replaced Herbie Steward as a member of the notable 'Four Brothers' in Woody’s Second Herd, joining tenors Zoot Sims and Stan Getz and baritone saxophonist Serge Chaloff. Al and Zoot had a long-term musical and personal friendship. They started recording together in 1946 and continued to play and record on many projects including many albums with a two-tenor front line, just Al and Zoot. Al's legacy includes many wonderful compositions, often recorded by other musicians.