Lew Tabackin is a flutist and tenor-saxophonist who has an extraordinary vision. His captivating flute playing is at once virtuosic and primordial, cross-cultural, passionate, and passionate. His unique tenor sax style is characterized by wide intervals, sudden changes in mood and tempo, as well as fervor. This all serves to show the full potential of his instrument, melodically, rhythmically and dynamically. He has not copied or imitated jazz greats, but has created his own style and aura. He was born in Philadelphia and began his interest in music at a young age. In high school, he studied flute, then tenor saxophone. He studied flute at the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music. 1962), and studied privately under Vincent Persichetti. After his U.S. Army Service (1962-1965), Mr. Tabackin relocated to New Jersey and New York. He played with Tal Farlow, Don Friedman, and later, in big bands that included Joe Henderson, Chuck Israels and Thad Jones, Clark Terry and Mel Lewis. In the 1960’s Mr. Tabackin was a member of a trio that played at La Boheme in Philadelphia. He also played in smaller groups with Elvin Jones and Donald Byrd. He worked in the early years with Doc Severinsen, and the studio band of Dick Cavett’s television program. He spent time in Europe as a soloist with several orchestras, including the Danish Radio Orchestra (DFO) and the Hamburg Jazz Workshop (HJW). He met Toshiko Akitoshi in 1968 when they played together as a quartet. They got married and settled in Los Angeles where they started the award-winning Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra. In Los Angeles, Mr. Tabackin played with Shelley Manne, John Heard, Charlie Haden, and various other trios with them. He also traveled to Japan with Ms. Akiyoshi’s orchestra and his own trio that included Joey Baron, drummer, and bassist Michael Moore. He began to be recognized as a flutist in the 1980’s, and won many DownBeat reader’s and critic’s polls. 1982 saw Mr. Tabackin and his wife Ms. Akiyoshi move to New York. This brought him back into the Manhattan jazz scene. He has remained a prominent tenor saxophone player and flute performer, both live and on recordings. His first CD for Concord, Desert Lady, was released by Mr. Tabackin in 1990. It featured Hank Jones, Dave Holland and Victor Lewis. The album was followed by I’ll be Seeing You, which features Benny Green and Peter Washington. The same group released What a Little Moonlight Can do in 1994. He has been associated with many all-star groups, including George Wein’s Newport All-Star Band and the New York Jazz Giants. As a soloist, he continues to travel the world playing jazz festivals and clubs with his own bands as well as as the featured soloist with Toshiko Akiyoshi’s Jazz Orchestra. Tenority, Mr Tabackin’s first album focusing solely on the tenor sax, was released by Concord in 1996. He has since released the CDs Tanuki’s Night Out, Live In Paris, and Quartet. from http://www.lewtabackin.com
