Illinois Jacquet

Illinois Jacquet was a powerhouse tenor saxophonist who helped shape the sound of jazz and rhythm and blues in the 1940s and beyond. He shot to fame as a young musician playing with Lionel Hampton, particularly on the 1942 hit “Flying Home,” where his explosive solo set a new standard for honking sax work and became a key influence in the development of both R&B and rock & roll saxophone styles.

Born in Louisiana and raised in Texas, Jacquet played with some of the biggest names in jazz, including Count Basie and Cab Calloway, and later led his own bands. He had a long-running love affair with big band jazz, and in his later years, he kept that tradition alive with The Illinois Jacquet Big Band, performing well into the 1980s and '90s. Known for his robust tone, showmanship, and improvisational flair, Jacquet was inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame and is remembered as one of the foundational voices of the modern tenor sax.

Genres

Swing Music

Jazz

Hard Bop

Bebop

R&b

Rock

Blues

Swing

Soul Jazz

Jump Blues

Latest Release

Misty Noir, Vol. 3 - Late Night Jazz

Illinois Jacquet

Album - 12 Tracks - Released May 2, 2025