Noel Jewkes – Sax Titan!
photo Jessica Levant – www.jessicalevant.com

Featured saxophonist Noel Jewkes was born in Utah in 1940 and migrated to San Francisco as an adult to become one of the most revered local masters of the jazz saxophone, but only after playing for years, from the age of 12, in the family swing orchestra headed by his mother and father. The Jewkes Orchestra traveled widely in the region, delivering a swinging and danceable beat to audiences of hip Indians, farmers and city slickers in rural assembly halls, lakeside resorts and downtown hotels.

Talented beyond measure on piano and trumpet as well as the various reeds, Noel is well known to young cognoscenti as one of the veteran musicians featured with Lavay Smith and the Red Hot Skillet Lickers, but his renown stretches far beyond that. His affinity with Lester Young’s cool and John Coltrane’s fire belies the associations some have from hearing him in bop aggregations and swing/jump ensembles. A flexible and insatiably adventurous modern master.

Giulio Xavier on bass; Jeff Minnieweather on drums.

Grant has played with each of these players on many occasions, always a joyous time…