BFrank Posted November 20, 2017 Report Share Posted November 20, 2017 SFJAZZ We are truly heartbroken to learn of the passing of saxophone great and Bay Area treasure Mel Martin. A Sacramento native and San Francisco State alum, Mel led a charmed musical life, heading his longstanding band Bebop & Beyond as well as the Mel Martin Band, Benny Carter Tribute Band, Tenor Conclave, and Big Band. He collaborated with artists ranging from jazz masters John Handy, McCoy Tyner, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, and Dizzy Gillespie, to rock artists including Boz Scaggs, Carlos Santana, and Tom Waits. Mel’s relationship with SFJAZZ goes back to the very beginning, with Bebop & Beyond performing at the first Jazz in the City event in 1983. We have presented Mel innumerable times over the years, including the dedication of our Joe Henderson Lab in 2014 and a 2016 Hotplate performance celebrating Joe Henderson. Mel's contributions to music and culture will live on through all we do at SFJAZZ. photo of Mel Martin and his quartet at the Joe Henderson Lab dedication, 8/14. ?: Ross Eustis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyril Posted November 20, 2017 Report Share Posted November 20, 2017 Sad news. He was a very nice guy. R.I.P. Mel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardbopjazz Posted November 20, 2017 Report Share Posted November 20, 2017 RIP, Mel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Friedman Posted November 20, 2017 Report Share Posted November 20, 2017 More sad news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlhoots Posted November 20, 2017 Report Share Posted November 20, 2017 I saw / heard Mel Martin at Yoshi's years ago. Great show. R.I.P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeweil Posted November 20, 2017 Report Share Posted November 20, 2017 Sorry to hear this - still have his first LP: Will try to find the time to give it a spin tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted November 20, 2017 Report Share Posted November 20, 2017 Don't miss these interviews! http://www.melmartin.com/html_pages/interviews.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFrank Posted November 21, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2017 11 hours ago, mikeweil said: Sorry to hear this - still have his first LP: Will try to find the time to give it a spin tomorrow. I always liked that album! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeweil Posted November 21, 2017 Report Share Posted November 21, 2017 IIRC this was Andy Narrell's debut - such a nice sound combination with soprano sax and steel drum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFrank Posted November 21, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2017 14 hours ago, mikeweil said: IIRC this was Andy Narrell's debut - such a nice sound combination with soprano sax and steel drum. I think you're right about that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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