Lew TABACKIN : biography

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Lew TABACKIN

Tenor sax / Flute

U.S.A.

Lew TABACKIN's interest in music began in his birthplace, Philadelphia, where he majored in flute at the Conservatory of Music. He moved then to New-York, where he spent seven musically active years, holding regular gig with his own trio as well as playing in the big bands of Clark TERRY, Chuck ISRAELS, Thad JONES-Mel LEWIS....

Lew met Thoshiko AKIYOSHI in '68, when the two played together in a quartet.Eventually they married and moved to Los Angeles, where they formed the award-winning big band now known as the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra. Lew continues to be a principal soloist in the band.

In L.A., Lew gigged with Shelley MANNE and with various trios of his own with Billy HIGGINS, John HEARD, Charlie HADEN. He also toured Japan frequently with Toshiko and the big band.
In the '80s, Lew began to get some long overdue recognition as a flutist, winning many critics' and reader's polls in Down Beat Magazine.

In '82, Lew and Toshiko moved back to New York, which put Lew back into the all-important Manhattan Jazz scene. Since that move, he has developed more and more as a major force on tenor saxophone and flute, and as a recording artist:
"Desert Lady" for Concord (1990), with Hank JONES, Dave HOLLAND, Victor LEWIS;
"I'll be seeing you" (Concord) with Benny GREEN, Peter WASHINGTON, Lewis NASH;
"What a little moonlight can do" (Concord 1994), with Peter WASHINGTON, Lewis NASH.

Lew TABACKIN has also been associated with several all-star bands, including George WEIN's Newport All Star Band, The New-York Jazz Giants, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band. Additionnally, he has continued to tour around the world as a soloist, playing clubs and Jazz festivals with his own groups, and as featured soloist with the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra.

Lew TABACKIN has been associated with several Belgian musicians too, such as Michel HERR, and especially Philippe AERTS and Félix SIMTAINE, with whom he made several concerts and a trio CD. Philippe also toured with him in the U.S.

Lew TABACKIN TRIO : L'ARCHIDUC - ROUND ABOUT FIVE (Igloo IGL 127)

Lew TABACKIN (tenor sax, flute), Philippe AERTS (ac. bass), Félix SIMTAINE (drums).
Recorded live at the "Archiduc", Brussels ('96).