Sam Most
Samuel Most (December 16, 1930 – June 13, 2013) was an American jazz flutist, clarinetist and tenor saxophonist, based in Los Angeles. He was "probably the first great jazz flutist", according to jazz historian Leonard Feather.[1]
Sam Most | |
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Most in New York City, 2009 | |
Background information | |
Born | Atlantic City, New Jersey, US | December 16, 1930
Died | June 13, 2013 82) Los Angeles | (aged
Genres | Jazz |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instruments | Flute, clarinet, tenor saxophone |
Years active | 1948 – 2013 |
Biography
He was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and began his career in music at the age of 18 with the bands of Tommy Dorsey, Shep Fields, Boyd Raeburn and Don Redman. He also performed many times with his older brother, clarinetist Abe Most.
His first recording was at age 23, a single called "Undercurrent Blues". The next year he was awarded DownBeat magazine's "Critic's New Star Award". Between 1953 and 1958 Most led and recorded sessions for the Prestige, Debut, Vanguard and Bethlehem labels. He also did session work for Chris Connor, Paul Quinichette and Teddy Wilson. He was a member of the Buddy Rich band from 1959 to 1961.[2]
Most resurfaced in the late 1970s recording six albums on the Xanadu label.
From 1987 Most, with producer Fernando Gelbard of Liquidjazz.com, recorded four albums, including Solo Flute.
He was the guest of and played for the King of Thailand three times. He was the subject of Edmond Goff's documentary film Sam Most, Jazz Flutist (2001).[3]
Sam Most died on June 13, 2013 from cancer, at Woodland Hills, Los Angeles.[4] He was 82.[5]
Discography
As leader
- Undercurrent Blues (1952)
- Sam Most - Introducing a New Star (1952)
- Bebop Revisited Vol. 3 (1954)
- I'm Nuts About the Most...Sam, That Is! (Bethlehem, 1954)
- The Herbie Mann-Sam Most Quintet (Bethlehem, 1955) with Herbie Mann
- Sam Most Sextet 12 (1955)
- Musically Yours (1956)
- Doubles in Jazz (1957)
- The Amazing Sam Most (1957)
- Sam Most Plays Bird Bud Monk & Miles (1957)
- Sam Most Quartet Plus Two (1958)
- Jungle Fantasy/Plop Plop Boom (1970)
- Mostly Flute (Xanadu, 1976)
- Flute Flight (Xanadu, 1977)
- But Beautiful (Catalyst, 1978)
- Flute Talk with Joe Farrell (Xanadu, 1979)
- From the Attic of My Mind (Xanadu, 1980)
- Any Time Any Season (1987)
- Simply Flute (2008)
- Solo Flute (2009)
- Organic Flute (2010)
- A Time for Love – Most, Alcivar (2012)
As sideman
With Louis Bellson
- Thunderbird (Impulse!, 1965)
With Clare Fischer
- Extension (Pacific Jazz, 1963)
With Stan Kenton
- Hair (Capitol, 1969)
With Paul Quinichette
- Moods (EmArcy, 1954)
With Lalo Schifrin
- There's a Whole Lalo Schifrin Goin' On (Dot, 1968)
- Ins and Outs (Palo Alto, 1982)
References
- Woo, Elaine (2013-06-24). "Sam Most dies at 82; pioneering jazz flutist". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
- AllMusic.com Bio by Scott Yanow
- "Sam Most, Jazz Flutist (2001)". IMDb. 10 September 2001. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
- Keepnews, Peter (June 22, 2013). "Sam Most, Who Helped Bring the Flute Into the Jazz Mainstream, Dies at 82". Nytimes.com. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
- "Jazz Flautist Sam Most (1930-2013): An Appreciation". Something Else!. Retrieved 15 January 2015.