Joe Temperley (20 September 1929 – 11 May 2016) was a Scottish jazz saxophonist. He performed with various instruments, but was most associated with the baritone saxophone, soprano saxophone, and bass clarinet.

Life

Temperley was born in Cowdenbeath, Scotland, and grew up in Lochgelly. His father was a bus driver. Temperley first played cornet, aged 12, then started on saxophone at the age of 14. Six months later, he got his first job at the Glasgow-based Tommy Sampson's Orchestra, having previously played in local dance bands. He joined Humphrey Lyttelton's London-based band in 1957 and stayed until 1965, when he moved to the US. After six months, he was recruited by Woody Herman, with whom he toured for two years. He also performed or recorded with Buddy Rich, Joe Henderson, Duke Pearson, the Jazz Composer's Orchestra, The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, and Clark Terry among many others. In October 1974, he toured and recorded with the Duke Ellington Orchestra as a replacement for Harry Carney. During the 1980s, Temperley played in the Broadway show Sophisticated Ladies; and his film soundtrack credits included Cotton Club, Biloxi Blues, Brighton Beach Memoirs, When Harry Met Sally..., and Tune in Tomorrow, the latter composed by Wynton Marsalis. He was a guest mentor of the Fife Youth Jazz Orchestra programme in Scotland. He was an original member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and served on the faculty of the Juilliard School for Jazz Studies. Temperley died of kidney failure and cancer in New York City on 11 May 2016, aged 86.

Discography

As leader

As sideman

With Buck Clayton With Eumir Deodato With Duke Ellington Orchestra With Wynton Marsalis and Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra With Humphrey Lyttelton With others