Lol Coxhill

Lol Coxhill gained renown through his solo performances and recordings that defied convention, showcasing a soprano and sopranino saxophone tone that was instantly recognizable. In the realm of extracting unconventional tones from the soprano, he stood as Steve Lacy's foremost competitor, delivering solos marked by contortions, twists, and eccentricities. Although skilled enough to handle straight-ahead bebop, Coxhill distinguished himself via his meandering, vigorous lines on soprano and sopranino. His beginnings were more traditional, as he supported American soul and blues singers touring in the 1960s, including Rufus Thomas, Lowell Fulson, and Champion Jack Dupree. Between 1969 and 1970, he collaborated with Steve Miller's band Delivery, appearing alongside them at the Berlin Music Festival. His first record, Ear of the Beholder, set the stage for an array of musical explorations. Over his extended professional life, Coxhill engaged with artists spanning bebop, avant-garde jazz, art rock, and punk, such as Kevin Ayers, Mike Oldfield, Anthony Braxton, Chris McGregor, Trevor Watts, Bobby Wellins, and Company. Ensembles he joined encompassed the Damned as well as the Recedents, Standard Conversions, and the Melody Four. Amid a grave health crisis, he required hospitalization and passed away on July 9, 2012, when he was 79 years old.