Album Notes

Jazz Saxophonist Jimmy Hill

"I started playing in 1942, at the age of 14, when I found my brother's saxophone in the hall closet."

After sneaking his brother's saxophone out of the closet, Jimmy fell in love with the saxophone and music and continued to play through high school and later in clubs and concerts.

Jimmy's career, now in it's sixth decade, has led him to playing with some of the tri-state area's best musicians. Artist such as Etta Jones, Benny Green, Gloria Coleman, Sonny Stitt, Cedar Walton, Houston Person, Dr. Lonnie Smith and Joe Puma
to name a few.

Well known to the New York Jazz audiences, Jimmy Hill is also a Westchester native, born and raised in Tuckahoe. He is largely self-taught as an alto and tenor saxophonist.

"I learned to improvise using my ears, at The Bucket, a joint in Mt. Vernon that was the Minton's of Westchester."

Jimmy also studied informally with Mike Mainieri and Sal Mosca, among others. "I never took a formal lesson and still don't read music. I just started playing and never stopped."

Working mostly as a group leader, his musical career is now in its sixth decade, has included appearances at such important jazz venues as Sweet Basil and Nells as well as numerous festivals and concerts throughout New York.