John Purcell (musician)
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John Raymond Purcell (b. May 8, 1952, New York City) is an American jazz saxophonist.
Purcell was raised in Westchester, New York, where he started on French horn before switching to saxophone. He attended the Manhattan School of Music, achieving his master's degree in 1978, then formed a 22-piece ensemble based in Westchester; Frank Foster co-led the ensemble for a time. In 1975 Purcell developed a tumor on his larynx, which prevented him from playing for a year; he devoted this time to studying instrument design.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s Purcell worked freelance in many local New York ensembles and in Broadway pit orchestras. He played with Chico Hamilton, Sam Rivers, Jack DeJohnette's Special Edition (ca. 1980-85), the World Saxophone Quartet, Onaje Allen Gumbs (1983), Muhal Richard Abrams (1983-90), David Murray (1984-88), American Jazz Orchestra (1985-91), Third Kind of Blue with Ronnie Burrage and Anthony Cox (1984-87), Tania Maria (1984), Henry Butler (1987), and David Sanborn (1990). He did work as a consultant for film and television shows in the 1980s and 1990s, and appears in the 1985 film The Cotton Club.
Purcell has taught at Westchester Conservatory (1970-80), Dwight Morrow High School (1976-79), Lehman College (1985-89), Rutgers (1987-90) and the Manhattan School of Music (1987-94).
[edit] Discography as leader
- 1994: John Purcell & Sweeca: Trantsong
- 1995: John Purcell (Mapleshade)
- 1998: Saxello Christmas in Vienna
- 1999: Little Ray of Sunshine
[edit] References
- Gary W. Kennedy, "John Purcell". Grove Jazz online.
