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. Born in Denison, Texas, 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 (“Structurally Sound” & “Booker ‘n’ Brass”) and Blue Note (“The In Between” & “Tex Book Tenor”). 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.