George Coxhill English musician, saxophonist Date of Birth: 19.09.1932 Country: Great Britain

Biography of George Coxhill

George Lowen Coxhill, a legendary British musician and saxophonist, was born in 1932 in Portsmouth, Hampshire. His father, a military man, introduced him to American jazz by bringing records from the United States. In the late 1940s, Coxhill acquired his own saxophone and couldn't imagine his life without jazz. However, he had to serve in the army and pursue a career as a bookbinder after his military service.

After moving to London, Coxhill started playing on the streets while taking lessons from Aubrey Frank. His improvisations attracted large crowds, leaving no one indifferent to his talent in jazz. In 1968, John Peel, a renowned DJ and music expert, heard Coxhill playing on the street, leading to a contract with Dandelion Records, Peel's independent label. By that time, Coxhill had garnered recognition within a niche circle, although he was not widely known.

Coxhill had collaborated with various jazz musicians and made attempts to pursue a career in music, but his main source of income at that time was playing on the streets. Signing a contract with Peel changed his fortunes for the better, and his first album, "Ear of Beholder," received positive reviews and overall success.

Notably, Coxhill stood out among his peers on the Canterbury scene, as he did not indulge in any intoxicating substances, which was almost a requirement for other musicians on the scene. He played with the bands "Delivery" and later "The Whole World." Throughout his career, Coxhill performed with numerous musicians in various styles, ranging from free jazz to punk rock. His collaboration with the punk band "Damned" was particularly noteworthy. Later on, he developed a strong interest in Jamaican music, showcasing his versatility as a saxophonist.

Coxhill remained active in the music industry for a long time, until serious health issues forced him into the hospital, where he unfortunately passed away on July 10, 2012, at the age of 79. He left behind a vast discography, and the musicians he worked with will forever remember his unique and recognizable saxophone sound, as well as his charming personality.