Earl Bostic
Alto saxophonist Earl Bostic was a technical master of his instrument, yet remained somewhat underappreciated by jazz fans due to the string of simple, popular R&B/jump blues hits he recorded during his heyday in the '50s. Born Eugene Earl Bostic in Tulsa, OK, on April 25, 1913, Bostic played around the Midwest during the early '30s, studied at Xavier University, and toured with several bands before moving to New York in 1938. There he played for Don Redman, Edgar Hayes, and Lionel Hampton, making his record debut with the latter in 1939. In the early '40s, he worked as an arranger and session musician, and began leading his own regular large group in 1945. Cutting back to a septet the next year, Bostic began recording regularly, scoring his first big hit with 1948's "Temptation." He soon signed with the King label, the home of most of his biggest jukebox hits, which usually featured a driving, heavy, R&B-ish beat and an alto sound that could be smooth and romantic or aggressive and bluesy.
In 1951, Bostic landed a number one R&B hit with "Flamingo," plus another Top Ten in "Sleep." Subsequent hits included "You Go to My Head" and "Cherokee." Bostic's bands became important training grounds for up-and-coming jazzmen like John Coltrane, Blue Mitchell, Stanley Turrentine, Benny Golson, Jaki Byard, and others. Unfortunately, Bostic suffered a heart attack in the late '50s, which kept him away from music for two years. He returned to performing in 1959, but didn't record quite as extensively; when he did record in the '60s, his sessions were more soul-jazz than the proto-R&B of old. On October 28, 1965, Bostic suffered a fatal heart attack while playing a hotel in Rochester, NY.
© Steve Huey /TiVo
Discography
84 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Flamingo (2003 Remastered Version)
Jazz - Released by Dreyfus Jazz on 1 Jan 2002
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Anthology: The Deluxe Collection (Remastered)
R&B - Released by Master Tape Records on 25 Jun 2021
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
The Earl Bostic Collection 1939-59
Jazz - Released by ACROBAT on 13 May 2015
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
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La Cucaracha (Mono Version)
Jazz - Released by BNF Collection on 1 Jan 1960
Available in24-Bit/96 kHz Stereo -
Jazz After Midnight (Remastered)
Jazz - Released by Silver Classics Jazz on 13 Mar 2013
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
1949- 1951
Blues - Released by Classics Blues & Rhythm Series on 4 Aug 2008
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Backup the Best of Earl Bostic
Jazz - Released by BackUp Best Sounds on 18 Dec 2012
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
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Earl Bostic Selected Favorites, Vol. 1
R&B - Released by Charly Records on 21 Mar 2011
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Four Classic Albums (Dance Time / Let's Dance / Alto Magic in Hi-Fi / Dance Music from the Bostic Workshop) [Remastered]
Jazz - Released by Avid Entertainment on 5 Aug 2016
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Remasterd Hits (All Tracks Remastered)
R&B - Released by jjjedizionimusicali on 1 Feb 2022
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
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Sweet Tunes of the Fantastic 50S (Album of 1958)
Pop - Released by Soul Story on 30 Nov 2020
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
1945-1948
Blues - Released by Classics Blues & Rhythm Series on 4 Aug 2008
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
1954-1955
Blues - Released by Classics Blues & Rhythm Series on 4 Aug 2008
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Vintage Dance Orchestras No. 284 - EP: Bugle Call Rag
Jazz - Released by Vintage Music on 25 Oct 1956
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Let's Dance (Remastered)
Jazz - Released by Avid Entertainment on 12 Aug 2016
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
Dance Time (Remastered)
Jazz - Released by AVID Entertainment on 12 Aug 2016
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo -
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The Best of Earl Bostic
Jazz - Released by Past Classics Jazz on 9 Dec 2008
Available in16-Bit/44.1 kHz Stereo