Don Byas

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Carlos Wesley (Don) Byas (October 21, 1912–August 24, 1972) was a African American jazz tenor saxophonist born in Muskogee, Oklahoma in the United States. Although his long residence in Europe kept him out of the public eye in the United States, he is often considered to be one of the great jazz musicians on his instrument. He rivals Coleman Hawkins in claims of the title of 'father of tenor saxophone'. [1]

He began his career in swing, playing with Lionel Hampton, Buck Clayton, Don Redman, Lucky Millinder, Andy Kirk, and Count Basie. In the 1940s he also jammed and worked with bop musicians, including Dizzy Gillespie. He also recorded extensively. His biggest hit came with his on Jimmy Rushing's version of George Frazier's "Harvard Blues", which he recorded numerous times, with and without vocal accompaniment.

In 1946 he toured Europe with Don Redman, and moved there. He lived in France, Denmark, and the Netherlands for the rest of his life. He worked extensively in Europe, often with such touring American musicians as Art Blakey, Kenny Clarke, Duke Ellington, Gillespie, Jazz at the Philharmonic, Bud Powell, and Ben Webster.

He also recorded with fado singer Amália Rodrigues during his time in Europe.

He died in Amsterdam, of lung cancer.