description Illinois Jacquet Overview
Illinois Jacquet (1922-2004) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist associated with swing, jump blues, and early rhythm and blues. His forceful 1942 solo on Lionel Hampton's recording of Flying Home became an influential example of the honking tenor style, combining repeated notes, emphatic rhythms, and an intense upper-register sound. Jacquet later performed with ensembles led by Cab Calloway and Count Basie and also led his own groups.
insights Ranking position
Illinois Jacquet ranks #14 of 157 in the Saxophonist ranking, behind Sigurd Raschèr, ahead of Peter Brötzmann.
help Illinois Jacquet FAQ
Why is Illinois Jacquet's solo on Lionel Hampton's "Flying Home" so important?
Jacquet's explosive tenor solo on Lionel Hampton's 1942 recording helped popularize the honking, riff-driven saxophone style later heard in jump blues and early rhythm and blues. He was only 19 when the performance made him a major attraction in Hampton's band.
Did Illinois Jacquet play with Count Basie?
Yes. Jacquet joined Count Basie's orchestra in the mid-1940s, after working with Lionel Hampton and Cab Calloway.
What was Illinois Jacquet's connection to Jazz at the Philharmonic?
Jacquet performed at Norman Granz's first Jazz at the Philharmonic concert in Los Angeles in 1944. His high-energy playing on the extended blues performance became one of the concert series' defining early moments.
Was Illinois Jacquet mainly a tenor saxophonist?
Yes, Jacquet is principally remembered as a tenor saxophonist, although he also played alto saxophone earlier in his career. His tenor sound ranged from forceful honks and high-register screams to more restrained swing-era ballad playing.
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