Illinois Jacquet

Biography

Illinois Jacquet, born Jean Baptiste Jacquet on October 31, 1922, in Broussard, Louisiana, was a pioneering American jazz tenor saxophonist whose exuberant style helped define the sound of swing, bebop, and rhythm and blues. Raised in Houston, Texas, in a musical family, Jacquet began performing at a young age, first as a tap dancer and drummer in his father's band before taking up the saxophone. By age 15, he was already playing with the Milt Larkin Orchestra, and after moving to Los Angeles in 1941, he quickly found himself immersed in the burgeoning West Coast jazz scene[1][3][4].

Jacquet's breakthrough came in 1942 when, at just 19, he recorded the iconic tenor sax solo on Lionel Hampton's 'Flying Home.' This electrifying performance introduced the 'honking' tenor style, characterized by powerful, high-register wails and rhythmic drive, which would become a hallmark of both rhythm and blues and early rock and roll. Jacquet's innovative approach expanded the expressive range of the tenor saxophone and influenced generations of musicians. Over his long career, he played with major big bands, including those of Lionel Hampton, Cab Calloway, and Count Basie, and was a star attraction in Norman Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic concert series. He also led his own groups, recorded prolifically, and remained an active performer and bandleader into the 21st century[2][3][4].

Jacquet's legacy is marked by his technical mastery, his role in bridging jazz and R&B, and his charismatic stage presence. He was one of the few jazz musicians to master the bassoon as well as the saxophone and was celebrated for both his fiery uptempo solos and his sensitive ballad playing. Jacquet passed away on July 21, 2004, but his influence endures in the worlds of jazz, blues, and popular music[1][3][4].

Fun Facts

• Jacquet was one of the few jazz musicians to master the bassoon as well as the saxophone[3].
• His solo on 'Flying Home' is considered one of the most famous in jazz history and was widely imitated by saxophonists worldwide[2][4].
• He played 'C Jam Blues' with President Bill Clinton, an amateur saxophonist, on the White House lawn during Clinton's 1993 inaugural ball[3].
• Jacquet claimed his legendary 'Flying Home' solo came from divine inspiration and built much of his career on its success[1].

Associated Acts

• Illinois Jacquet and His Orchestra - eponymous
• Illinois Jacquet & His All Stars - eponymous
• Illinois Jacquet Sextet - eponymous
• Illinois Jacquet & His Big Band - eponymous

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Milton Larkin - Band leader who gave Jacquet his first major professional experience as a teenager in the Milt Larkin Orchestra. (Performances with Milt Larkin Orchestra) [Late 1930s]

Key Collaborators

• Lionel Hampton - Band leader; Jacquet joined Hampton's big band and recorded the legendary 'Flying Home' solo. ('Flying Home' (1942), other recordings and performances) [1941-1942]
• Cab Calloway - Jacquet played in Calloway's big band, further developing his style. (Performances and recordings with Cab Calloway's band) [1943-1944]
• Count Basie - Jacquet was a member of Basie's band, contributing to its postwar sound. (Performances and recordings with Count Basie Orchestra) [1945-1946]
• Nat King Cole - Collaborated in Jazz at the Philharmonic concerts; Cole played piano on Jacquet's influential improvisations. (JATP concerts, notably July 2, 1944 benefit concert) [1940s]
• Russell Jacquet - Illinois's brother, trumpeter in his bands and JATP concerts. (Illinois Jacquet's bands, Jazz at the Philharmonic) [1940s]

Artists Influenced

• King Curtis - Adopted Jacquet's 'honking' tenor style, becoming a leading R&B saxophonist. (R&B recordings of the 1950s-60s) [1950s-1960s]
• Sam 'The Man' Taylor - Emulated Jacquet's energetic tenor saxophone approach in R&B. (R&B and rock and roll recordings) [1950s]
• Rock and Roll Saxophonists - Jacquet's high-energy, honking style became foundational for early rock and roll saxophone playing. (Multiple artists and recordings) [1950s onward]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Harlem Nocturne (Swing's The Thing)
2. On The Sunny Side Of The Street - Alt 1 (Bottoms Up)
3. God Bless My Solo (God Bless My Solo (The Definitive Black & Blue Sessions) [Paris 1978])
4. Flying Home (Hamp The Legendary Decca Recordings Of Lionel Hampton)
5. Port Of Rico (07-22-52) (Complete Jazz Series 1951 - 1952)
6. Have You Met Miss Jones? (Swing's The Thing)
7. Illinois Goes To Chicago
8. Bottom's Up (Bottoms Up)
9. Las Vegas Blues (Swing's The Thing)
10. Harlem Nocturne (I. Jacquet - Swing's The Thing)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #bebop, #jazz, #jump-blues