Ten MORE underrated Jazz Musicians Part One

1. Mike Osborne (1941-2007)

I first heard Mike Osborne when he was in Mike Westbrook’s band during a gig at Manchester University and he had an awesome sound on alto sax that made everyone pay attention. I think it was in the early 70’s that a friend of mine told me he had booked Osborne to play an afternoon gig at an art gallery and would I be interested in fixing a gig for him for the evening.. I managed to book a room at the Black Lion in Salford and the event went down very well with Osborne blowing up a storm backed by just bass and drums. In later years he played in mainly small groups but became inactive due to failing health and died much too young.

2. Joe Albany (1924-1988)

When the be-bop legend played a gig at the Black Lion, Salford in March 1973 the old upright piano in the upstairs room could have used a tune-up but it didn’t seem to bother him too much. He just got stuck in and played like he was back in New York on 52^nd street when Bird and Lester were his soulmates. I just found out that there is a film called LOWDOWN which is about the struggles he faced trying to retain contact with his daughter Amy. I must try and get hold of a copy. He made only a few recordings but they are well worth listening to.

3. Barney Wilen (1937-1996)

He had a lot of ups and downs in his career and is most widely known for his work with Miles Davis who liked his tenor sax playing and used him on the sound track of the iconic French Noir film LIFT TO THE SCAFFOLD. I recall one very hot day during the Nice Jazz Festival, I was listening to Larry Coryell and Christian Escoude when on walked Wilen wearing a trench coat and blowing his tenor. Played a couple of tunes then walked off. He did make some fine recordings though, one he made in New York with Kenny Barron is one like and it has a really great cover photo.

Mike Farmer