NEA Jazz Master & Renowned Tenor Saxophonist/Composer GEORGE COLEMAN, with brilliant technique and a deeply soulful tone, has performed with many of the most legendary jazz figures & influenced countless saxophonists. So prodigious was his talent that in 1952, at the age of 17, George was invited to tour with B.B. KING after the guitarist heard him in a local club. When MAX ROACH heard George in 1958, he invited him to join his own quartet. When eminent trombonist SLIDE HAMPTON formed his octet, George formed the brass-heavy front line with Slide & Freddie Hubbard. For 2 years George was a member of the MILES DAVIS Quintet with Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter & Tony Williams, recording four classic albums – ‘Seven Steps to Heaven’, ‘My Funny Valentine’, ‘Four’ & ‘Miles Davis in Europe’. The following year George was featured on Herbie Hancock’s landmark ‘Maiden Voyage’, one of the most popular albums in the history of jazz. Since 1973, Coleman has focused primarily on his own groups.
