Shank, Bud (Clifford Everett Jr.)

Shank, Bud (Clifford Everett Jr.), bop-flavored jazz alto saxophonist, flutist, composer; b. Dayton, Ohio, May 27, 1926. He began playing clarinet at age 10, then switched to saxophone when he was 14; he studied with Shorty Rogers. Shank spent a year with Charlie Barnet, and later played with Stan Kenton (1950–51). He was a featured member of the Lighthouse All-Stars group (1953–56). Shank began making albums as a leader in 1954; that same year, he participated in some of the first Brazilian jazz albums, with Laurindo Almeida. He was among the first bop players to utilize the flute as a legitimate lead instrument. He also did a lot of studio work and was heard on film soundtracks. He made nearly 30 albums as a leader on World Pacific/Pacific Jazz (1954–70). He worked mostly with small group sets, always with excellent sidesmen. His works included albums of pop songs; “Michelle,” with Chet Baker on flugelhorn, was a hit in the U.S. In 1974 Shank co-formed the L.A. Four with Shelly Manne, Ray Brown, and Almeida. During the 1970s, he recorded several albums with Bill Mays. He toured Europe several times and played with Frank Morgan and Shorty Rogers, among others, in the 1980s and 1990s.

Dlscography

Compositions of Shorty Rogers (1954); Saxophone Artistry of (1955); Bud Shank and Bob Brookmeyer (1955); Jazz at Cal-Tech (1956); Flute ’n Oboe (1956); Live at the Haig (1956); Jazz Swings Broadway (1957); I’ll Take Romance (1958); Misty Eyes (1958); Bud Shank in Africa (1958); Holiday in Brazil (1959); Bud Shanks Plays Tenor (1960); Slippery When Wet (1960); Koto and Flute (1960); Flute ‘n Alto (1960); Barefoot Adventure (1961); New Groove (1961); The Talents of Bud Shanks (1961); Bossa Nova Jazz Samba (1962); Brasamba! Bossa Nova (1963); Bud Shank and His Brazilian Friends (1965); Bud Shank and the Sax Section (1966); California Dreamin’ (1966); Flute, Oboe and Strings (1966); Brazil! Brazil! Brazil! (1967); Magical Mystery (1968); Let It Be (1969); Sunshine Express (1976); Heritage (1978); Crystal Comments (1979); Explorations (1980); This Bud’s for You (1984); California Concert (1985); At Jazz Alley (1986); Tomorrow’s Rainbow (1988); Drifting Timelessly (1990); Doctor Is In (1991); I Told You So (1992); New Gold (1995); Plays the Music of Bill Evans (1996); Bud Shank Sextet Plays Harold Arlen (1996); Jazz in Hollywood (1997); Bud Shank and Bill Perkins (1998); A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing (1998).

—Music Master Jazz/Lewis Porter