Jack Nimitz: Biography

• Overview
• Discography
• Biography
• Related Artists

• Videos
• Photos
• Groups/Boards
• Fan Sites

• Claudio Slon

• Supersax

• Bud Shank
• Oscar Brashear
• Larry Bunker
• Al Porcino
• Bill Perkins
• Frank Rosolino
• Stan Kenton

Born:

Jan 11, 1930 in Washington, D.C.

Died:

Jun 10, 2009 in Los Angeles, CA

Genres:

Jazz Music, Big Band Jazz Music, Bop Jazz Music, Fusion Jazz Music

Decades Active:

1950's|1960's|1970's|1980's|1990's

Although he has had a long and productive career, Jack Nimitz has long been underrated, not getting a chance to lead his own record session until a 1995 set for Fresh Sound, when he was already 65. He started on the clarinet when he was 12, switching to alto two years later, and gigging locally at 15. In 1949, Nimitz started specializing on the baritone and soon was playing with such territory bands as those led by Bob Astor, Johnny Bothwell, and Daryl Harpa. From 19521953, he was back in Washington, D.C., before touring with Woody Herman (October 1953 to September 1955) and a few months with Stan Kenton (19551956). He was a regular in the house band at the Savoy and then spent an additional year with Kenton (19581959). Settling in Los Angeles, Nimitz became a busy studio musician and also played with Bill Berry, Benny Carter, Gerald Wilson, Supersax (since its beginning in 1972), Bill Perkins' Big Band, Bud Shank, Frank Strazzeri's Woodwinds West, the Lighthouse AllStars, and any other highquality jazz group that needed a talented baritonist.

- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide