John Purcell

Bio:

.. .. John Purcell's technical mastery of all the woodwind instruments is truly unsurpassed." - David Murray

John Purcell’s saxophone career is one of considerable breadth and depth. He has played in a remarkably wide variety of musical contexts. His unique knowledge of the saxophone stems from a medical crisis which launched him on an odyssey of research into the intricate physiological relationships between saxophone and player. He is an award-winning performer, a teacher and an acoustic consultant.

At the age of 23, having recent graduated from the Manhattan School of Music, John was forced to stop playing due to a tumor on his larynx. The throat operation left John physically unable to play the saxophone in the way he had learned. Conventional approaches offered no help in overcoming a physical disability of this nature, so he had to create his own method. This required a detailed study of the individual physiological processes of playing, such as embouchure, breath, tongue placement and stance. In addition, he dissected, overhauled and reconstructed hundreds of instruments in order to thoroughly understand the mechanical properties of the saxophone. His research enabled him not only to begin playing again but to regain and exceed his previous level of musical proficiency.

Once again a professional musician, he experimented continuously and shared information with his contemporaries such as Jack DeJohnette, Chico Hamilton and Hammiet Bluett.

Driven to understand the techniques, methods and equipment necessary for unconstrained musical expression, he took advantage of opportunities to ask questions, observe and seek information in every way possible. In his six years with the American Jazz Orchestra he was surrounded by jazz masters. He performed with such greats as Benny Carter, Frank Foster and Jimmy Heath and sought out their wisdom. In this way, he immersed himself in the oral tradition of American jazz.

Throughout this period John applied this knowledge not only to his own playing, but to his teaching as well. As a classically trained musician working in the jazz world, he became keenly aware that standard methods of teaching had failed to keep pace with developments in the modern saxophone and its applications in contemporary music. John bridged this gap by adapting the traditional jazz techniques of saxophone playing to the modern context.

John began teaching when the operation nearly ended his career as a performer. He has been teaching for 19 years and is currently on the faculty at the Manhattan School of Music. His teaching career enabled him to bring together the information gained through his own research and the wisdom gleaned from musical greats. Over the years, players with physical problems - most notably Michael Brecker and David Sanborn - have sought him out.

Because John's system embodies the original principles of saxophone playing, it greatly reduces the physical stress on the player. This advantage enables even physically challenged artists to continue to play, to prolong their careers and to refine their approach to the art. At the encouragement of grateful students, including professionals such as Michael Brecker and David Sanborn, he now proposes to consolidate this body of knowledge.

What the greats say about John Purcell:

"My own personal work with John has expanded from a very specific area of saxophone acoustics and the learning of practical maintenance skills to the rôle of trusted musical advisor and teacher" - David Sanborn

"John has played with me in numerous club dates and concerts throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. His musical contribution to the music he has played with my bands, The World Saxophone Quartet, and on various recordings is invaluable. John Purcell's technical mastery of all the woodwind instruments is truly unsurpassed." - David Murray

"His approach is unique." - Benny Golson

Links

World Saxophone Quartet / Justin Time Records

Discography:

2002 World Sax Quartet - Justin Time Records "Steppenwolf" LINK
2001 World Sax Quartet - Justin Time Records "The New Chapter" LINK
2000 World Sax Quartet - Justin Time Records “Requiem for Julius” Amazon LINK
1999 John Purcell-PAO “Little Ray of Sunshine”
1999 John Purcell/Global Christmas - PAO. “Christmas in Vienna" PAO LINK
1999 Archie Shepp - PAO Co-Production “St. Louis Blues”
1999 Mark Puricelli / Masters Music “Sweet Life”
1998 World Saxophone Quartet Justin Time Records «Selim Sivad”
1998 - World Saxophone Quartet/Justin Time Records M’Bizo” Amazon LINK
1997 Enriquillo Winds, Mapleshade Records. "Melodia Para Conga"
1996 David Sanborn/Rickey Peterson - Electra. “Songs From the Night Before"
1995 John Purcell Solo Album / Mapleshade
1995 David Murray Big Rand
1995 World Saxophone Quartet Justin Time Records "Takin' it 2 the Next Level" Amazon LINK
1995 David Sanborn / Tommy LiPuma - Electra. “Pearls”
1995 David Sanborn Marcus Miller - Electra. “Hearsay”
1995 World Saxophone Quartet Justin Time Records “4 Now”
1995 Babatunde Lea “level of intent”
1994 John Purcell - Sweeca, "Trentsong"
1992 Anthony Davis - Gramavision “The Life and Times of Malcolm X”
1992 David Sanborn / Marcus Miller- Electra "Up Front"
1992 Abstract Truth
1991 “Level of lntent” featuring John Purcell as Producer/Performer
1990 “Concerto for Sanborn” M Kamen, Saxophone Sound Design Consultant / Warner
1990 Ntozake Shange “Syllables”
1989 “Ntozake Shange & Syllables”, Warner
1988 “Julius Hemphill’s Big Band” Amazon LINK
1987 “Henry Butler Quartet” MCA Records
1987 Dennis Gonzalez New Dallas Quartet, Silkheart Records Silkheart LINK
1986 "David Murray Octet" Black Saint Records
“Clarinet Summit” Hammiet Bluitt BSR
1985 "Third Kind of Blue" / "Rejoicing the Light" & "Big Band”/ Muhal Richard Abrams, BSR
"Wild", Tania Maria, Concorde Records
"Album, Album" Jack Dejohnette / ECM Records Amazon LINK
1984 “Tangents” Chico Freeman / Electra
1983 Jack Dejohnette “Album, Album”
1982 "Inflation Blues" Jack DeJohnette / ECM Records
“Young Lions” / Electra Musician - Carnegie Hall Recording
1980 "Tin Can Ally" Jack DeJohnette / ECM Records
“Attica Blues” Archie Shepp

Reviews:

"The WSQ... has chosen well in adding reedist John Purcell to the mix. Beyond the obvious intellectual rigor of his compositions, Purcell brought a distinctly melancholic, often introspective voice to the ensemble...

It would be going a bit far to say that Purcell added timbral subtlety, melodic fervor and cerebral acuity to an ensemble that already had achieved a degree of each, but Purcell certainly underscored these facets. The prime example was the evenings centerpiece, Li'l Poky, an extended work in which the composer depicted the clashes of ideology between Native Americans and invading Europeans in the era of Pocahontas (the title character).

Even apart from these programmatic themes, however, Li'l Poky overflowed with complex musical ideas, alluringly stated. In ensemble passages, the piece offered intricate part-writing, tightly drawn harmonies and more motivic information than the ear possibly could absorb in a single hearing. But the very density of this music, as well as the players' ability to make every line ring out clearly against the others, made this a tour de force for reeds.

The solos, too, proved brainy but charismatic, particularly Purcell's plaintive phrases and microtonal pitches on soprano sax, Lake's blues-drenched runs on alto and Bluiett's buzz-tone lines on baritone sax (with Bluiett somehow yielding high pitches and low ones at once)...

With Purcell now part of the band and the other players apparently recommitted to it, the WSQ might be able to keep blowing for another couple decades. "

Howard Reich
Arts Critic, Chicago Tribune

"Multi-instrumentalist John Purcell has won praise and recognition for his playing..., most notably his work with Jack DeJohnette's Special Edition. He's an excellent soprano player, as well as an effective soloist on several other reeds and flute." Ron Wynn, All Music Guide

Please note: John is too busy to run this page himself. Only messages from friends and serious booking enquiries will be forwarded directly.

Member Since:

April 24, 2007

Members:

John has performed or recorded with: Elvin Jones, Lionel Hampton, McCoy Tyner, David Sanborn, Jack DeJohnette, Benny Golson, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Eddie Palmieri, New York City Opera, Benny Carter, Dizzy Gillespie, Muhal Richard Abrams, Cab Calloway, Natalie Cole, Branford Marsalis, Babatunde Lea, Hammiet Bluitt, Oliver Lake, Michael Kamen, Marcus Miller, Bill Cosby, American Jazz Orchestra, Lena Horn, Sammy Davis Jr, Dave Matthews Band, Eric Clapton, Tito Puente, Sam Rivers, Archie Shepp, David Murray, John Faddis, Kenny Kirkland, Tania Maria, Good Morning America, The London Symphony Orchestra, Greg Osby, Gary Thomas, Ntozake Shange, Spike Lee, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, World Saxophone Quartet ...

Record Label:

PAO