Biography
Leo Anthony, who performed on baritone saxophone, sang, and later directed his own ensemble, grew up in Cleveland as one of six brothers whose father nurtured their skills within a family group. Ray Anthony emerged as the most prominent of the siblings, playing trumpet and leading the Ray Anthony Orchestra that kept Leo on the payroll for more than seven years after he came aboard in 1946. Earlier, Leo had begun on alto saxophone in Cleveland-area outfits before switching to his brother’s unit, Ray being three years older. Standout moments in that association included a studio date supporting Frank Sinatra, while Aero later issued multiple video documents of the orchestra from Leo’s final stretch that spotlight numbers alongside stylish singer Vikki Carr. The same band also accompanied Mel Tormé at the Playboy Jazz Festival, an occasion preserved on record. Ray Anthony offered his younger sibling several featured spots, among them a reading of “Baritone Boogie” that has prompted baritone sax devotees to rank Anthony alongside Bob Gioga of the Stan Kenton Orchestra.
From the mid-1950s forward Anthony’s identity centered on baritone saxophone as he shifted toward the pop and rhythm & blues fields. A burst of activity for Epic yielded the 10-inch Mr. Baritone Sax and the full-length Who Dat LP, both of which carry jazz inflections yet favor tightly arranged grooves and limited solo room. Some reviewers even objected when individual tracks from these projects surfaced on swing compilations.
From the mid-1950s forward Anthony’s identity centered on baritone saxophone as he shifted toward the pop and rhythm & blues fields. A burst of activity for Epic yielded the 10-inch Mr. Baritone Sax and the full-length Who Dat LP, both of which carry jazz inflections yet favor tightly arranged grooves and limited solo room. Some reviewers even objected when individual tracks from these projects surfaced on swing compilations.
Albums