John Gilmore

Born in Missouri, tenor saxophonist John Gilmore first made his mark on jazz in Chicago. For over four decades, Gilmore was one of the constant central figures in the cult-like Sun Ra Arkestra, a theatrical bop-to-free jazz orchestra led by the enigmatic Sun Ra. Yet Gilmore was one of the few Sun Ra stalwarts to have a career apart from the Arkestra, recording with Clifford Jordan, Paul Bley, and even playing briefly in Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers (replacing Wayne Shorter circa 1964/1965). He also helmed a few sessions under his own name. In fact, Gilmore, a fine, versatile saxophonist who gave lessons to John Coltrane, may have become a star soloist had he not dedicated himself wholeheartedly to Ra’s unique vision.