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Alto Saxophonist Bud Shank Dies at 82

Clifford "Bud" Shank, an alto saxophonist, arranger and flutist who performed on the Mamas and the Papas hit 'California Dreamin',' died last Thursday from pulmonary failure at his Tucson home. He was 82.

Raised in Ohio, Shank began playing clarinet at age 10 before switching to saxophone two years later. He briefly attended the University of North Carolina in the late '40s, before dropping out to pursue a career in music. He was a member of big bands led by Charlie Barnet and Alvino Rey before joining pianist Stan Kenton's influential Innovations in Modern Music Orchestra -- a big band that featured strings and French horns.

In the '50s and early '60s, Shank was a large part of the West Coast jazz scene, leading his own band for a period while collaborating with a diverse group of musicians. He performed Brazilian music with guitarist Laurindo Almeida, and recorded an album with famed sitarist Ravi Shankar in 1962. While later focusing on session work, Shank contributed to many popular film scores, including 'The Thomas Crown Affair,' and provided the flute solo for 'California Dreamin'' in 1965.

In the '70s and '80s, Shank performed and recorded with a Latin-inspired quartet called the L.A. Four with Almeida and bassist Ray Brown. After giving up the flute in 1986, Shank worked on a number of projects including the formation of his own jazz workshop, a big band and several tribute albums. 'Beyond the Red Door,' a duet with pianist Bill Mays and Shank's final album, was released in 2007. Shank's last gig was in January, while his final studio session was this past Wednesady -- the day before he died. He is survived by his wife, Linda.

Read more about Bud Shank on All About Jazz.



Dearly Departed Musicians

    Bud Shank: Alto saxophonist and flutist Clifford "Bud" Shank died April 2, 2009, at age 82.

    GAB Archive / Redferns / Getty Images

    Hal Durham was a fixture on the Grand Ole Opry stage, working at the famed country music institution for 32 years. He died March 29, 2009 at age 77.

    Donnie Beauchamp, Gaylord Entertainment / AP

    Dan Seals, March 25: The singer, who scored a number of pop and country hits, died at 61 of leukemia. Seals was half of the pop duo, England Dan and John Ford Coley, best known for the ballad, 'I'd Really Love to See You Tonight.'

    Beth Gwinn, Retna

    Uriel Jones, March 24: One of the original members of the Funk Brothers, a Motown group that played with Marvin Gaye and The Temptations, Jones died after suffering complications from a heart attack. He was 74.

    Tabatha Fireman, Redferns / Getty Images

    Darnell "King Tut" Brittingham, March 18: The rapper most notable for his association with Harlem hip-hop group Dipset took his own life during a confrontation with police. He was 23.

    Courtesy of MySpace.com

    Hank Locklin, March 8: For half a century, the Grand Ole Opry star masterfully fused the Honky Tonk and Nashville sounds, making timeless hits like 'Please Help Me I'm Falling' and 'Send Me the Pillow You Dream On.' Locklin died at his home in Alabama of undisclosed causes. He was 91.

    Frank Driggs Collection / Getty Images

    Randy Bewley, Feb. 25: The Pylon guitarist suffered a heart attack while driving. His Athens, GA band inspired many others, including R.E.M., with their distinctive, danceable pop sound.

    Chris McKay, Retna

    Kelly Groucutt, Feb. 19: He provided the bass end to classic ELO hits such as 'Mr. Blue Sky,' 'Do Ya' and 'Livin' Thing.' Groucutt died after having a heart attack, his management confirmed. He was 63.

    Fin Costello, Getty Images

    Louie Bellson, Feb. 14: The American big band drummer, composer and bandleader was 84.

    Evans / Three Lions / Getty Images

    Estelle Bennett, Feb. 11: With her sister Ronnie, left, and cousin Nedra Talley, right, Bennett sang '60s classics like 'Baby, I Love You' and 'Be My Baby' with the legendary Ronettes. She was found dead in her New Jersey home of undetermined causes. She was 67.

    Hulton Archive / Getty Images

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16 Comments

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Joelene

I am so glad that you were a part of my life .
You will always be remembered ,and your music
will be heard always. Thanks!

April 06 2009 at 6:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kiousm

On his "Califoria Dreaming" album there is a little gem called "Imprevu"; give it a listen sometime.

April 06 2009 at 6:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
vgkflc

A true artist. Rest well Mr Shank. Thanks for all the tunes.

April 06 2009 at 5:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
TSJ

Bud was not only an icon of West Coast jazz, he was one of the founding fathers of the bossa nova -- recording Brazilian-jazz fusion with Laurindo Almeida years before Stan Getz got around to it -- and the godfather of surf music through his film soundtracks. He was also one of the kindest, most genuine musicians I ever had the pleasure to talk with. A tremendous loss.

April 06 2009 at 5:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Beautiful Lucia

RIP Bud.

Why does it seem that all of my musical rolemodels are dying off? Bud is the fourth great sax player in just as many months.

April 06 2009 at 5:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Hey you

How sad. God bless you and yours, sir.

April 06 2009 at 4:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
howstl

Bud played at the Blackhawk in San Friancisco in August of '61 or '62, one week after Stan Getz had been there. He wasn't a Getz, and luckily enough, Getz wasn't a Bud Shank. God love you buddy. Ray

April 06 2009 at 3:46 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
walking man

To be the musician who played the fulte solo on California Dreamin' would be a great thing to leave behind. They'll be playing that song forever. Happy Trails, Bud.

April 06 2009 at 3:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Penelope

Mr. Shank was an extrordinary man. He came to my small town in Washington State, to play in a fund-raising concert for my son Benjamin, who had been diagnosed with cancer. The Chimacum High School concert band hosted the concert to help raise money for costs not covered by insurance. Mr. Shank and his bassist Bob West graciously came and did a set. His kindness made a huge difference in my son's outlook on his chances for survival. Ben is now 30, and a Professor in the theater dept. at Washington State University. Thanks, Bud.

April 06 2009 at 2:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Judy Lewis


He may no longer be here on Gods Earth
BUT His Music WILL Live On Till The End of Time

May you Rest In Prace!

April 06 2009 at 2:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply