Hank Crawford

Bennie Ross "Hank" Crawford Jr. (December 21, 1934 – January 29, 2009) He began formal piano studies at the age of nine and was soon playing for his church choir. His father had brought an alto saxophone home from the service, and when Hank entered Manassas High School, he took it up in order to join the band. He credits Charlie Parker, Louis Jordan, Earl Bostic, and Johnny Hodges as early influences.

Career Crawford appears on an early 1952 Memphis recording for B. B. King, with a band including Ben Branch and Ike Turner.

In 1958, Crawford attended Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. This is when Crawford met Ray Charles, who hired Crawford originally as a baritone saxophonist.

When Crawford left Ray Charles in 1963 to form his own septet, he had already established himself through several albums for Atlantic Records. Crawford recorded "Wild Flower" in 1973, and in 1978, worked with Cornell Dupree on the album Shadow Dancing. Much of his career was in R&B, but in the 1970s, he had several successful jazz albums, with I Hear a Symphony reaching no. 11 on 's jazz albums chart and no. 159 for pop albums.

David Sanborn has cited Crawford as being one of his primary influences. Crawford is recognized by saxophonists as having a particularly unique and pleasing sound. In 1981, he featured with fellow saxophonists David "Fathead" Newman and Ronnie Cuber on B. B. King's There Must Be a Better World Somewhere.

In 1983, he traded to Milestone Records as a premier arranger, soloist, and composer, writing for small bands, including guitarist Melvin Sparks, organist Jimmy McGriff, and Dr. John. In 1986, Crawford began working with soul-jazz organist Jimmy McGriff.

Discography As leader/co-leader

As sideman With Ray Charles Ray Charles at Newport (Atlantic, 1958) What'd I Say (Atlantic, 1959) Ray Charles in Person (Atlantic, 1959) Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music (ABC-Paramount, 1962)

With B. B. King There Must Be a Better World Somewhere (MCA, 1981) Let the Good Times Roll (MCA, 1999)

With David "Fathead" Newman Fathead Comes On (Atlantic, 1962) Still Hard Times (Muse, 1982) Fire! Live at the Village Vanguard (Atlantic, 1989)

With others Eric Clapton, Journeyman (Warner Bros., 1989) Cornell Dupree, Shadow Dancing (Versatile, 1978) Grant Green, Easy (Versatile, 1978) Johnny "Hammond" Smith, Breakout (Kudu/CTI, 1971) Etta James, The Right Time (Elektra, 1992) Shirley Scott, Shirley Scott & the Soul Saxes (Atlantic, 1969) Janis Siegel, The Tender Trap (Monarch, 1999)