Biography
Jimmy Vass played alto saxophone and flute, establishing himself during the 1970s as one of jazz’s leading session musicians through the sinuous tone and dynamic style he brought to dates fronted by Andrew Hill, Charles Earland, and Muhal Richard Abrams. Born March 31, 1937, in Philadelphia, he obtained his first saxophone at age 18. After sharpening his skills on the city’s club circuit, he shifted to New York City in 1963, balancing day jobs with nighttime musical work. His first appearance on record arrived in 1968 on Sunny Murray’s Hard Cores. Beginning with the 1971 album Soul Story, Vass launched a sustained partnership with the esteemed soul-jazz organist Earland, though his most significant alliance developed with the avant-jazz pianist Hill on the 1975 album Divine Revelation. An uncommonly agile and adaptable performer, he moved comfortably among varied settings and even contributed to soul singer Roberta Flack’s 1975 LP Feel Like Makin’ Love. He never led a recording session under his own name, yet late in his career he directed a New York-based ensemble and served as a music instructor. Vass died September 21, 2006, at the age of 69.