Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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WORLD SAXOPHONE QUARTET

US saxophonists Hamiet Bluiett, Julius Hemphill, David Murray and Oliver Lake (b 14 Sep. '42, Marianna AR) formed an unaccompanied quartet (Murray replaced '86 by John Stubblefield). Albums: Point Of No Return '77 on Moers Music; World Saxophone Quartet '78, Steppin' '79, Revue '80, Live In Zurich '81, Live At Brooklyn Academy Of Music '85, all on Black Saint; Plays Duke Ellington '86, Dances And Ballads '87, Rhythm And Blues '89, Metamorphosis '90 on Nonesuch; Murray came back, and with Bluiett, Lake and Arthur Blythe made Breath Of Life '93 on Nonesuch. John R. Purcell replaced Blythe on For Now '95 with the African Drums (Chief Bey, Mor Thiam, Mar Gueye), Purcell replaced Hemphill on Takin' It 2 The Next Level (with a rhythm section adding a funky edge: Donald Blackman on piano, Calvin Jones on bass, Ronnie Burrage on drums), both on Justin Time. Matador Of 1st And 1st '95 on Passin' Thru was an eloquent Lake solo album, with soprano sax, alto, flute, bells and poetry; see entries for other individuals.