Preston Love

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Preston Love
Background information
Birth name	Preston Love
Born	April 26, 1921
Origin	Omaha, Nebraska USA
Died	February 12, 2004
Genre(s)	Jazz
Occupation(s)	Band leader, musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)	Alto saxophone
Years active	1936 - 2004
Associated acts	Nat Towles, Lloyd Hunter, Snub Mosely, Lucky Millinder, Fats Waller, Count Basie Orchestra, Lena Horne, Johnny Otis, Wynonie Harris, Billie Holiday, Ray Charles, the Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin

Preston Love (1921-2004) was a renowned alto saxophonist from Omaha, Nebraska.

1 Biography
2 Solo albums
3 Books by Love
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Biography

Preston Love grew up in North Omaha and graduated from North High.

He became renowned as a professional sideman and saxophone balladeer in the heyday of the big band era. He was a member of the bands of Nat Towles, Lloyd Hunter, Snub Mosely, Lucky Millinder and Fats Waller before getting his big break with the Count Basie Orchestra when he was 22.

Love eventually became a bandleader himself, playing with Lena Horne, his friends Johnny Otis and Wynonie Harris, with whom he had several hits. Other legends he played with included Billie Holiday, Ray Charles, the Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin.

In his later years Love authored a book and was an advertising agent for the Omaha Star, a local newspaper serving the city's African American community. His daughter is Laura Love.