The Pace Report: Odean Pope Saxophone Choir featuring Special Guest Joe Lovano

Saxophonist Odean Popes vision of a musical saxophone choir reminiscent of his growing up in the church was and still isnt a easy feat. The Odean Pope Saxophone Choir has been a innovative and striking ensemble that swings just as good as a big band; but funkier. The choir consists of nine saxophones and was founded in 1977 while he was a session and sideman living between New York City and Philadelphia. Their debut album The Saxophone Shop put the choir on the map and tours constantly overseas. Odean writes and arranges all the horn sections, something he learned as the road manger and saxophonist for drummer Max Roach for well over 20 years.

Odean began playing professionally as a teenager playing at the famous Uptown Theater, one of the major black theaters during the 1950s and 60s. Although he grew up listening to Rhythm and Blues, his passion was jazz music. John Coltrane recommended he replace him after he left to play with Miles Davis. The two were very close and still to this day, Odean credits his hard work ethic and practicing to Trane.

Eventually he felt he needed to develop and create his own style so he studied under the great Kenny Clarke at The Paris Conservatory for Music. Later he studied under pianists Ray Bryant and Hassan Ibn Ali. But it was his time with the legendary Max Roach where he became the great soloist and musician he is today.

Odean is one of the most underrated saxophonists, arrangers and band leaders in the business. His music and arrangements pop out at you when you listen to them live. Almost like the powerful Thad Jones arrangements he did with Mel Lewis during the 1960s into the 70s. Popes vision, along with the understanding of being a band leader that shares the stage with his musicians, gives him an edge in music that hasn't been heard on record or live in quite sometime.

His latest disc Odeans List features saxophonists Walter Blanding and James Carter. These guys give Odean the powerhouse drive of solos that most listeners will die for. Drummer Jeff Tain Watts gives his arrangements the punch and drive that brings out all of the musicians on the disc.

Recently, he played the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York with special guests Ravi Coltrane and Joe Lovano.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Odean Pope
• Odean Pope Saxophone Choir
• Joe Lovano
• The Blue Note Jazz Club NYC
• Odean's List
• Brian Pace
• The Pace Report