Benny Golson

Benny Golson, the powerhouse tenor saxophonist and composer, was a luminary figure in the elegant world of hard bop jazz. Rising from the Dizzy Gillespie Big Band of the 1950s, Golson made his mark with a string of solo albums and as a vital member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. He was renowned for his skillful composing, with classics like "I Remember Clifford" and "Killer Joe" becoming jazz standards. Golson's legacy continued through his work with the Jazztet and his acclaimed small group albums like Terminal 1.

Born in 1929 in Philadelphia, Golson's musical journey began with the piano before he found his calling in jazz and the tenor saxophone. Surrounded by jazz greats in the vibrant Philly scene, Golson's career blossomed, leading to collaborations with icons like Clifford Brown and joined bands with Dizzy Gillespie and Art Blakey. His later years were marked by a resurgence in his jazz career, earning him accolades like the NEA Jazz Masters Award and the Grammy Trustees Award before his passing in 2024.