Jimmy Lyons American alto saxophonist Date of Birth: 01.12.1931 Country: USA

Biography of Jimmy Lyons

American alto saxophonist Jimmy Lyons is best known for his work with Cecil Taylor. He was born on December 1, 1931, in New Jersey, where he spent part of his childhood. At the age of nine, Jimmy moved to New York with his mother, first settling in Harlem and then in the Bronx. In the early 1940s, Jimmy picked up the saxophone for the first time and began taking lessons from Buster Bailey, who was performing at the time with Fletcher Henderson. He later took lessons from Rudy Rutherford. During these lessons, he met future jazz stars Elmo Hope, Bud Powell, and Thelonious Monk.

After graduating from school, Jimmy was drafted into the army. He spent 21 months in Korea, where he continued playing music in the military band. Upon his return from the army, Lyons enrolled at New York University while working as a mail carrier. In 1961, Jimmy Lyons joined Cecil Taylor's ensemble. Thanks to his unique saxophone playing style, he became a defining member of the group. A notable example is the album "Cecil Taylor Live at Café Montmartre," released in 1962.

Jimmy was reluctant to work as a solo artist. It was only in 1969 that he attempted to record a solo album, "Other Afternoons," which was later released on the BYG label. However, after this album, he enjoyed working with his own ensemble and released several albums on different labels the following year. Like many jazz musicians of that time, Lyons had to earn a living not only through performances but also through teaching. In 1970, he taught at the Narcotic Addiction Control center in New York City, then led an ensemble at Bennington College, and taught alongside Taylor at Antioch College.

In 1986, Jimmy Lyons was diagnosed with lung cancer, and he passed away on May 19 of the same year. The best testament to Lyons' talent and musical authority was the fact that after his death, Cecil Taylor did not invite anyone else to replace him in his ensemble, thus recognizing Lyons' irreplaceability.

After Jimmy Lyons' passing, his ensemble disbanded. Several years later, the Ayler Records label compiled all the archival recordings of Lyons' ensemble from 1972 to 1985 and released a collector's edition of Jimmy Lyons' works on 5 CDs.