Bud Shank

American jazz saxophonist (alto, tenor, baritone), flutist (c-flute, soprano, alto and bass flute), and arranger.

Born May 27, 1926, in Dayton, Ohio

Died April 2, 2009, in Tucson, Arizona.

Attended the University of North Carolina between 1944-1946 then moved to California where he studied with trumpeter/composer [a312417] and played in the big bands of [a269594] (1947-8) and [a212786] (1950-51). He joined [a=Howard Rumsey]'s Lighthouse All-Stars from 1952 until forming his own quartet in 1956. Though not often noted, Shank was among the first of modern jazz artists during the early 50s to record using the flute.

He spent most of the '60s recording as a studio musician in Hollywood before forming the L.A. Four in the '70s. Practiced jazz flute at times during this period, but reverted full-time to the alto saxophone in the mid-'80s.