Grammy-winning saxophonist presents his new album Like Minds.
Wayne Escoffery is one of the most gifted saxophonists in American jazz. A musician with respect for the jazz tradition, but one who looks beyond the jazz music of the past. For example, his album The Humble Warrior included an interpretation of a choir piece by composer Benjamin Britten, alongside original compositions. In the spring of 2023 Escoffery released the new album Like Minds by The Wayne Escoffery Quartet, which includes collaborations with likeminded jazz giants such as trumpeter Tom Harrell and singer Gregory Porter.
Wayne Escoffery made him name in The Mingus Dynasty, Big Band, and Orchestra. For more than a decade he played tenor and soprano saxophone in the band of trumpet legend Tom Harrell. With Jeremy Pelt and Jonathan Blake he co-founded the all-star band Black Art Jazz Collective. He has recorded and performed with a who’s who in jazz including Ron Carter, Abdullah Ibrahim, Eddie Henderson, Randy Brecker, and Herbie Hancock. Wayne has topped the Downeat Critics Poll in the categories Rising Star Tenor Saxophone, and Rising Star Soprano Saxophone. In 2011 he won a Grammy with the Mingus Big Band and now (with Wayne Escoffery as one of the musical directors of the band) The Mingus Band has been nominated for a Grammy as Best Large Jazz Ensemble for the 66th annual Grammy Awards