Vi Redd

Vi Redd was born in Los Angeles on September 20, 1928. Her father was a drummer and was one of the reasons she became interested in jazz. She began playing saxophone when she was 13 years old and played throughout high school and community college. She graduated from Los Angeles State College of Applied Arts and Sciences and spent a few years employed as a social worker before being recognized as an important jazz soloist. In the early 1960's following several gigs (including Shelly's Manne-Hole, the Las Vegas Jazz Festival, and an episode on the "Jazz Scene USA" entitles "Vi Redd Septet") she toured with bands playing saxophone and singing. The bands included Earl Hines' and she led a bop quartet that included her husband "Richie Goldberg" on drums. She toured overseas for awhile and held a position at Ronnie Scott's in London where she played with many other noteworthy saxophonists including Coleman Hawkins. She even toured with Count Basie in Africa and Europe. By 1970 Redd was back in Los Angeles working as an educator and playing locally on the side.

References:
http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com.er.lib.k-state.edu/subscriber/article/grove/music/J372000?q=vi+redd&search=quick&pos=1&_start=1#firsthit

http://www.allmusic.com/artist/vi-redd-p7394

Critical Listening:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9cM3ALga80

Stormy Monday Blues
Vi Redd with Count Basie-1968

12 bar blues with an introduction followed by two A sections and a B section. Redd sings the lyrics to the song then plays a solo on saxophone. She ends with a recap of the B section. She is backed by a full jazz orchestra composed of a rhythm section (drums, guitar, bass, and piano) saxophones, trombones, and trumpets.