BUCK HILL

97

Profile Information:

What instrument do you play?

Tenor, Soprano Saxophone & Flute

Music is very important to me and I hope to participate in it for the remainder of my life.

How did you find out about the WDCJN?

www.washingtondcjazznetwork.ning.com

Where are you located?

Washington DC

Tell us about yourself

Born in 1927, Buck Hill started playing saxophone at 13. By the mid-fifties, he was married with children and supporting them by driving a cab and delivering mail. Despite the family demands, he continued to practice and perform. Charlie Byrd discovered him and he became a regular on the local jazz circuit, appearing with Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis. In 1957, he appeared on his first recording with Charlie Byrd and later worked with Shirley Horn on Verve.

Because of the dominance of rock music in the sixties, Buck went back to work for the post office. He continued to perform and devoted himself to teaching. Many years later, one of his most successful students, renowned drummer Billy Hart, arranged for Buck to begin his solo recording career with Danish company Steeplechase. His performances and recordings received great critical success. Yet throughout his success, he refused to give up the post office, thus leading to the moniker, the "Wailin’ Mailman."

In 2000, Buck released “Uh Huh! Live at Montpelier” on the JazzMont label. Eric Brace of the Washington Post said this record contained “…eight original compositions that are so melodically complete and so structurally satisfying that I wonder if they might become standards someday.” If you haven’t seen him play, you really should. How often do you get to see a legend? Let alone, one that delivered your mail.

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