Biography
Although most listeners remain unaware of the fact, Al Klink’s tenor saxophone has reached millions of ears on hundreds of occasions, most notably when he traded phrases with Tex Beneke on Glenn Miller’s landmark recording of “In The Mood!” A superior jazz improviser to Beneke, Klink nevertheless never achieved comparable recognition. He belonged to Miller’s orchestra throughout its peak period of 1939–42, yet solo opportunities remained scarce. Once Miller entered military service, Klink joined the bands of Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey. With the close of the swing era he turned to studio work, disappearing from jazz settings except for his two-year stint with the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra in 1952–53. Visibility returned in 1974 when he began appearing occasionally with the World’s Greatest Jazz Band. Late in the decade he recorded for the Famous Door label in the company of Glenn Zottola and George Masso. He continued performing until he retired to Florida in the mid-1980s. His sole session as a leader produced six tracks for a 1955 Grand Award album shared with Bob Alexander.