About Clarence Sharpe
Lived 1937 – 1990 (aged 52–53). Clarence Sharpe was an American musician and saxophonist.
Clarence Hardy Sharpe (May 5, 1931, St. Louis – January 28, 1990, New York City) was an American jazz alto saxophonist. Efn|Gary W. Kennedy writes, "obituaries published his age as 53; however, Sharpe himself gave his year of birth as 1931 in his application for social security."
Sharpe died at Goldwater Memorial Hospital on Roosevelt Island in New York City at the age of 58, having recently undergone surgery for throat cancer.
Style Peter Watrous of The New York Times described Sharpe's approach to the saxophone as the missing link between Charlie Parker and Ornette Coleman.
Discography
As sideman Lee Morgan, Lee Morgan Indeed! (Blue Note, 1957) Freddie Redd, Lonely City (Uptown, 1989) Archie Shepp, For Losers (Impulse!, 1970) Archie Shepp, Kwanza (Impulse!, 1974)
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Important facts
People in Clarence Sharpe's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Clarence Sharpe's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Clarence Sharpe?
American jazz musician (1937–1990)
When was Clarence Sharpe born?
Clarence Sharpe was born in 1937 in St. Louis.
When did Clarence Sharpe die?
Clarence Sharpe died on 28 January 1990.
What was Clarence Sharpe's occupation?
Clarence Sharpe was a musician and saxophonist.
What nationality was Clarence Sharpe?
Clarence Sharpe was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Clarence Sharpe. https://biography.guide/clarence-sharpe/
MLA: "Clarence Sharpe." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/clarence-sharpe/.
Chicago: "Clarence Sharpe." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/clarence-sharpe/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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