Don Rendell
Encyclopedia
Donald Percy 'Don' Rendell (born 4 March 1926) is an English jazz
musician and arranger, specialising on tenor saxophone
, but also playing soprano saxophone
, flute
, and clarinet
.
Born to two musicians in Plymouth
, England
, Rendell's jazz career began at the age of fifteen, with the alto sax, switching to tenor after a few years. He started his professional career playing with big bands, first on U.S. bases for the U.S.O.
in 1944, and then with various bands, including the Oscar Rabin Band
. In 1950 he became a member of the Johnny Dankworth Seven, remaining until 1953. When Dankworth decided to put together a big band, Rendell parted company with him.
As well as gigging as a guest soloist around London’s jazz clubs, he started to lead his own groups; from 1954 these often featured Ronnie Ross
, who played tenor at that time. He also spent time working with Tony Crombie
and Ted Heath
, went on tour in Europe with Stan Kenton
in 1956, played with Woody Herman
's Anglo-American Herd in 1959, and led a group accompanying Billie Holiday
when she toured in the UK. His own groups featured musicians such as Graham Bond
, Michael Garrick
, Barbara Thompson
, John Burch
and Ian Carr
. In 1963 he and Carr formed the Rendell–Carr Quintet, which performed and recorded for some seven years.
Rendell’s style owes much to Lester Young
, and he has added many other influences along the way, including especially that of John Coltrane
, but almost from the beginning he had a distinctive style of his own.
He has long been a leading jazz-educator, and has taught for the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
in London
since 1984.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
musician and arranger, specialising on tenor saxophone
Tenor saxophone
The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor, with the alto, are the two most common types of saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B, and written as a transposing instrument in the treble...
, but also playing soprano saxophone
Soprano saxophone
The soprano saxophone is a variety of the saxophone, a woodwind instrument, invented in 1840. The soprano is the third smallest member of the saxophone family, which consists of the soprillo, sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass, contrabass and tubax.A transposing instrument pitched in...
, flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
, and clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
.
Born to two musicians in Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Rendell's jazz career began at the age of fifteen, with the alto sax, switching to tenor after a few years. He started his professional career playing with big bands, first on U.S. bases for the U.S.O.
United Service Organizations
The United Service Organizations Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization that provides morale and recreational services to members of the U.S. military, with programs in 160 centers worldwide. Since 1941, it has worked in partnership with the Department of Defense , and has provided support and...
in 1944, and then with various bands, including the Oscar Rabin Band
Oscar Rabin Band
The Oscar Rabin Band was a British Jazz dance band that was one of the most successful bands of the 1950s. Band leader Oscar Rabin played bass saxophone, an unusual instrument then as now. His friend Harry Davis, tall, elegant and good-looking, acted as compère and conductor.-Formation:Oscar...
. In 1950 he became a member of the Johnny Dankworth Seven, remaining until 1953. When Dankworth decided to put together a big band, Rendell parted company with him.
As well as gigging as a guest soloist around London’s jazz clubs, he started to lead his own groups; from 1954 these often featured Ronnie Ross
Ronnie Ross
Albert Ronald "Ronnie" Ross was a jazz baritone saxophonist.Ross moved to England in 1946 and began playing tenor saxophone in the 1950s with Tony Kinsey, Ted Heath, and Don Rendell. During his tenure with Rendell he switched to baritone saxophone...
, who played tenor at that time. He also spent time working with Tony Crombie
Tony Crombie
Anthony John "Tony" Crombie was an English jazz drummer, pianist, bandleader and composer. He was regarded as one of the finest jazz drummers and bandleaders, and occasional but very capable pianist and vibraphonist, to emerge in Britain, and as an energising influence on the British jazz scene...
and Ted Heath
Ted Heath (bandleader)
Ted Heath, musician and big band leader, led Britain's greatest post-war big band recording more than 100 albums and selling over 20 million records...
, went on tour in Europe with Stan Kenton
Stan Kenton
Stanley Newcomb "Stan" Kenton was a pianist, composer, and arranger who led a highly innovative, influential, and often controversial American jazz orchestra. In later years he was widely active as an educator....
in 1956, played with Woody Herman
Woody Herman
Woodrow Charles Herman , known as Woody Herman, was an American jazz clarinetist, alto and soprano saxophonist, singer, and big band leader. Leading various groups called "The Herd," Herman was one of the most popular of the 1930s and '40s bandleaders...
's Anglo-American Herd in 1959, and led a group accompanying Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday was an American jazz singer and songwriter. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and musical partner Lester Young, Holiday had a seminal influence on jazz and pop singing...
when she toured in the UK. His own groups featured musicians such as Graham Bond
Graham Bond
Graham John Clifton Bond was an English musician, considered a founding father of the English rhythm and blues boom of the 1960s....
, Michael Garrick
Michael Garrick
Michael Garrick MBE was an English jazz pianist and composer, and a pioneer in mixing jazz with poetry recitations.-Biography:...
, Barbara Thompson
Barbara Thompson
Barbara Gracey Thompson MBE is an English jazz saxophonist, flautist and composer. She studied clarinet, flute, piano and classical composition at the Royal College of Music, but the music of Duke Ellington and John Coltrane made her shift her interests to jazz and saxophone...
, John Burch
John Burch (musician)
John Burch , was a British pianist, composer and band leader equally at home playing traditional jazz, bebop, blues, skiffle, boogie-woogie and rock....
and Ian Carr
Ian Carr
Ian Carr was a Scottish jazz musician, composer, writer, and educator.-Early years:Carr was born in Dumfries, Scotland, the elder brother of Mike Carr...
. In 1963 he and Carr formed the Rendell–Carr Quintet, which performed and recorded for some seven years.
Rendell’s style owes much to Lester Young
Lester Young
Lester Willis Young , nicknamed "Prez", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and clarinetist. He also played trumpet, violin, and drums....
, and he has added many other influences along the way, including especially that of John Coltrane
John Coltrane
John William Coltrane was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Working in the bebop and hard bop idioms early in his career, Coltrane helped pioneer the use of modes in jazz and later was at the forefront of free jazz...
, but almost from the beginning he had a distinctive style of his own.
He has long been a leading jazz-educator, and has taught for the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama is an independent music and dramatic arts school which was founded in 1880 in London, England. Students can pursue courses in Music, Opera, Drama and Technical Theatre Arts.-History:...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
since 1984.
Select Discography
The dates are the original recording/release dates, the labels are the re-issue labels.- Meet Don Rendell (1954–55: Jasmine)
- Playtime (1958: Vocalion) — reissue contains 1959 material by Jazz at the Flamingo and The Jazz Committee
- Roarin (1961: BGP)
- Shades of Blue (1964: BGO) — the Rendell–Carr Quintet
- Don Rendell Four and Five & Rendell–Carr Quintet 1964–68 (1964–68: Spotlite)
- Live in London (1965: Harkit Records) — the Rendell–Carr Quintet
- Dusk Fire (1966: BGO) — the Rendell–Carr Quintet
- Phase III (1967: BGO) — the Rendell–Carr Quintet
- Live (1968: BGO) — the Rendell–Carr Quintet
- Change Is (1969: BGO) — the Rendell–Carr Quintet
- Greek Variations (1970: impressed re-pressed) — with Neil ArdleyNeil ArdleyNeil Richard Ardley was a prominent English jazz pianist and composer, who also made a name as the author of more than 100 popular books on science and technology, and on music.-Brief biography:...
& Ian Carr - Space Walk (c.1972: Redial)
- Live at the Avgarde Gallery Manchester (1974: Spotlite)
- Just Music (1974: Spotlite)
- What Am I Here For? (1993–96: Spotlite)
- Reunion: Don Rendell with Ian Carr & Michael Garrick (2002: Spotlite)
- Live in London (2003: Harkit) — the Don Rendell–Ian Carr Quintet
External links
- Don Rendell reminisces
- The Melody Maker Jazz Polls — selected highlights from the British section, 1960–1974