Photo by Andrea Canter
David "Fathead" Newman/Henry Johnson's Organ Express (December 28-January 2). One of the leading "Texas Tenors," David "Fathead" Newman was born in Corsicana, Texas and spent his childhood in Dallas. His parents introduced him to jazz through the music of Glenn Miller, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, and Duke Ellington. "And of course, there was the blues background," said Newman. "T-Bone Walker and Lowell Fulson were from the Dallas, Texas area, and you were just surrounded by the blues.  It was all so natural."

Although he preferred jazz, Newman said learning other musical styles was a necessity. "I loved the bebop jazz of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, but during my younger years bebop wasn't accepted by a majority of the people," he said.  "You couldn't make a living playing just bebop.  You had to play some blues or some swing." While playing in the band at Lincoln High School in Dallas, Newman acquired his nickname when his band teacher noticed he had his music upside-down and called him "Fathead." The name stuck. After high school, Newman played with local bands and received a scholarship to Jarvis Christian College where he studied theology and music. Ultimately he learned to play not only baritone and tenor, but also alto and soprano sax and flute.

After two years of college, Newman went to work full time with Buster Smith (Charlie Parker's mentor), touring Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and sometimes California. After meeting Ray Charles on one of these tours, Newman played in Charles's band from 1950-1959, at first as a baritone saxman and later as the star tenor soloist. Taking off on his own, he moved to New York and worked with Lee Morgan, Kenny Drew Sr., Billy Higgins, and Kenny Dorham. He toured in Japan and Europe, and became a busy studio musician, recording with Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Hank Crawford, Dr. John, and Art Blakey, and joining Herbie Mann's "Family of Mann" project. In the 1980s, Newman worked with outstanding rhythm sections that included Cedar Walton, Buster Williams, Louis Hayes, and Jimmy Cobb. He has appeared on many television shows including Saturday Night Live, David Sanborn's Night Music, David Letterman, and in Robert Altman's film, "Kansas City." He has recorded for Atlantic, Muse, Kokopelli, with the Kansas City Orchestra on Verve, and most recently with High Note (2004's Song for a New Man). Today, Newman plays mostly concert halls and festivals, rarely in clubs "unless I can get a non-smoking venue. I had surgery [10 years ago to remove his Adam's apple], so I can't be around smoke."

Critic John Murph wrote, "At the ripe age of 70, Newman still hones a brawny, robust tone that's splendidly enlivened by his nimble, dance-like phrasing. When he plays, he never loses sight of the melody even during a song's most prickly sequences, making every phrase utterly singable. Like his blustery, wide-open sound, his improvisational emphasis on the melody is a testament to his Southern blues roots..."

Appearing with Newman at the Jazz Showcase, Chicago native guitarist Henry Johnson spent part of his childhood in Memphis where he played gospel and R&B. Inspired by Wes Montgomery, Johnson turned to jazz, and after returning to Chicago, developed his reputation on the South Side, later touring with organist Jack McDuff and singer Donny Hathaway. Later he was a regular with Ramsey Lewis and Joe Williams. His recording You're the One (MCA) topped the charts and earned a Grammy nomination as "a thoughtful piece of work which may well become a jazz guitar classic" (Jazz Times). His latest recording with organ trio features the legendary Nancy Wilson (Organic, A440 Music). Joining Johnson as the Organ Express are organist Chris Foreman, drummer Greg Rockingham, and sax player, Peter Roothaan.

It's hard to imagine a more incendiary end to 2004. From Golson to Morgan to Newman, it will be a new "Saxophone Colossus" at the Jazz Showcase!

For information about the above shows, see www.jazzshowcase.com or call (312) 670-BIRD. The Jazz Showcase is in downtown Chicago, north of the Loop at 59 W. Grand. No reservations except with dinner package through Maggiano's - (312) 644-7700), across the street. Showtimes: 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday; Friday and Saturday 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.; Sunday Matinee at 4 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.