Jerry Weldon
Tenor Sax
67 age
September 27, 1957 Birthday
New York, New York, U.S. Birthplace
www.jerryweldon.net Website
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About
Jerry Weldon is a veteran tenor saxophonist renowned for his powerful, soulful sound and deep roots in the New York jazz scene. Born in New York City, he graduated from the Rutgers University Jazz Studies Program in 1981 and immediately joined the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, where he played until Hampton’s death in 2002. Weldon has worked with jazz legends such as organist Jack McDuff, pianist George Cables, trombonist Al Grey, drummers Roy Haynes and Jimmy Cobb, guitarist George Benson, and singer Mel Tormé. In 1990, he became a charter member and featured soloist with Harry Connick Jr.’s big band, touring globally, appearing on Broadway, and serving as part of the “house band” on Connick’s television show from 2016 to 2018. Weldon leads his own groups and continues to perform regularly at top jazz venues in New York and internationally.
Trivia
Jerry Weldon’s career spans more than four decades, during which he has released eight albums as a leader and appeared on countless recordings as a sideman. His latest recording, “On the Move,” spent two months on the Jazz Week charts. Weldon is known for his dynamic stage presence and ability to connect with audiences, whether performing at historic clubs like Showman’s in Harlem or major festivals around the world. He is recognized by critics for his “warm, fat tenor sound” and described as “one of the strongest tenormen on the scene today” (Ira Gitler, The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz).
Early Life
Jerry Weldon was born in New York City and was introduced to jazz by his father, who took him to see Stan Getz at the Village Vanguard when he was fourteen. That experience inspired him to pursue a life in music. Weldon studied at Rutgers University, graduating from the Jazz Studies Program in 1981. His early exposure to live jazz and his rigorous academic training laid the foundation for his long and successful career as a professional musician. Weldon’s formative years were marked by a deep immersion in the jazz tradition, which continues to influence his playing and approach to music.
Jerry Weldon Solos
2023
Tenor Sax solo - (Love Is) The Tender Trap - 2023
4/4 swing in C major at 137 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - When the Sun Comes Out - 2023
4/4 ballad in G major at 71 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - Blame it On My Youth - 2023
4/4 ballad in B♭ major at 61 BPM
Tenor Sax solo - On the Street Where You Live - 2023
4/4 swing in G major at 163 BPM