Booker Ervin
A very distinctive tenor with a hard, passionate tone and an emotional style that was still tied to chordal improvisation, Booker Ervin was a true original. He was originally a trombonist, but taught himself tenor while in the Air Force (1950-1953). After studying music in Boston for two years, he made his recording debut with Ernie Fields' R&B band (1956). Ervin gained fame while playing with Charles Mingus (off and on during 1956-1962), holding his own with the volatile bassist and Eric Dolphy. He also led his own quartet, worked with Randy Weston on a few occasions in the '60s, and spent much of 1964-1966 in Europe before dying much too young from kidney disease. Ervin, who is on several notable Charles Mingus records, made dates of his own for Bethlehem, Savoy, and Candid during 1960-1961, along with later sets for Pacific Jazz and Blue Note. His nine Prestige sessions of 1963-1966 (including The Freedom Book, The Song Book, The Blues Book, and The Space Book) are among the high points of his career.
© Scott Yanow /TiVo
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Discography
15 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Tex Book Tenor (Remastered)
Jazz - Released by Blue Note Records on Jan 1, 2005
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Structurally Sound
Jazz - Released by Blue Note Records on Dec 1, 1966
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Soul People
Sonny Stitt, Booker Ervin, Don Patterson
Jazz - Released by Prestige on Jan 1, 1965
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Freedom Book [Rudy Van Gelder Remasters]
Jazz - Released by Prestige on Jan 1, 1964
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Blues Book
Jazz - Released by Original Jazz Classics on Jun 30, 1964
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Space Book
Jazz - Released by Original Jazz Classics on Oct 2, 1964
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Song Book (Album Version)
Jazz - Released by Prestige on Jan 1, 1964
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The In Between
Jazz - Released by Blue Note Records on Jan 12, 1968
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Freedom Book
Jazz - Released by Original Jazz Classics on Dec 3, 1963
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Groovin' High
Jazz - Released by Original Jazz Classics on Jun 30, 1966
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Freedom Book
Jazz - Released by Original Jazz Classics on Dec 3, 1963
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo