Benny Golson (born January 25, 1929) is an American jazz saxophonist, composer, and arranger. He is known for his classic compositions such as "Killer Joe" and "Stablemates". He is also well known for his work with a variety of artists including Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis.
Golson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He started playing the piano at the age of 8 and began playing the alto saxophone at the age of 11. He attended West Philadelphia High School and was a band member under the direction of Stan Fisher. At the same time he was playing gigs in the Philadelphia area.
After graduating from high school, he began attending the Granoff School of Music in Philadelphia, where he studied music theory and composition. Afterward, he joined the Sonny Stitt quintet, and later the Art Blakey Quintet. He was an important part of the classic hard bop sound of the 1950s. He also wrote many of the arrangements for the Blakey group.
Golson has become known for his melodic and lyrical compositions as well as his arrangements. He has composed over 250 jazz songs, many of which have become jazz classics. His most renowned compositions include "Killer Joe," "Stablemates," "Whisper Not," and "Blues March." He has also written arrangements for many of the major jazz orchestras.
Golson has been a sideman on many significant recordings, including the Miles Davis album Kind of Blue, the first modal jazz album. He also played with Benny Goodman, Horace Silver, and many other jazz luminaries.
Golson has received numerous awards and honors. He has been nominated for 11 Grammy Awards and won one in 2007 for his album New Time, New ‘Tet. He was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 2002, and he received the Jazz Masters Award from the National Endowment for the Arts in 2011.
Golson is still actively performing and touring. He is a beloved figure in jazz and an important part of the history of the music. His influence continues to be heard in the music of today.
