Biography of Arthur Blythe

Misinformation, false perceptions, and hype have hurt the career of Arthur Blythe, who has always been an excellent player. In the '70s he was nicknamed "Black Arthur," leading to the exaggerated notion that he was a Black nationalist/activist. He joined Columbia in the '70s after relocating to NYC from LA and was the victim of a senseless hype campaign calling him the "greatest saxophonist in the world." From his days with Stanley Cowell and Chico Hamilton to his present involvement with The World Sax Quartet and his groups, his work has been consistently high-caliber and thoughtful. Blythe is a superb uptempo improviser who has become equally adept at ballads and composition over the years. ~ Ron Wynn