Yusef Lateef

An extremely talented multi-instrumentalist with a thorough understanding of African music, Lateef brought his skill as a tenor sax, flute and oboe master to many classic recordings, spicing up a Grant Green Hard Bop session as easily as covering many bases for Charles Mingus, Donald Byrd and Cannonball Adderley. Occasionally using odd instruments like the Indian Shenhai, the bassoon and various flutes, Lateef brought an exotic feel to many of his sessions. This is not to say he can't tear up a sax solo on a straight-ahead session -- he's got more than enough deep American soul and streamlined technique to put him in the top echelon of jazz players.