World Saxophone Quartet

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The World Saxophone Quartet is an avant-garde jazz group founded in 1977, implementing elements of free funk and African jazz into their musical routines.

The original members were Julius Hemphill (alto and soprano saxophone, flute), Oliver Lake (alto and soprano saxophone), Hamiet Bluiett (baritone saxophone, alto clarinet), and David Murray (tenor saxophone, bass clarinet). The first three had worked together as members of the Black Artists' Group in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1989, Hemphill left the group due to illness, and several saxophonists have filled his chair in the years since. The first of these was Arthur Blythe, followed by Eric Person, James Spaulding, John Purcell, Bruce Williams and Tony Kofi.

The group principally recorded and performed as a saxophone quartet, usually with a lineup of two altos, tenor, and baritone (reflecting the composition of a classical string quartet), but were also joined occasionally by drummers, bassists, and other musicians.

[edit] Partial discography

• 1979: Steppin' with the World Saxophone Quartet (Black Saint)
• 1981: W.S.Q. (Black Saint)
• 1982: Revue (Black Saint)
• 1984: Live in Zurich (Black Saint)
• 1986: Live at Brooklyn Academy of Music (Black Saint)
• 1986: Plays Duke Ellington (Nonesuch)
• 1987: Dances and Ballads (Nonesuch )
• 1989: Rhythm and Blues (Elektra/Musician)
• 1991: Metamorphosis (Elektra Nonesuch)
• 1994: Breath of Life (Elektra Nonesuch)
• 1884: Moving Right Along (Black Saint)
• 1996: Four Now (Justin Time)
• 1996: Takin' It 2 the Next Level (Justin Time)
• 1998: Selim Sivad, a Tribute to Miles Davis (Justin Time)
• 1999: M'Bizo (Justin Time)
• 2000: Requiem for Julius (Justin Time)
• 2001: 25th Anniversity: the New Chapter (Justin Time)
• 2002: Steppenwolf (Justin Time)
• 2004: Experience (Justin Time)
• 2006: Political Blues (Justin Time)