About Lanny Morgan
“I moved to NYC in March 1960 to join Maynard Ferguson’s band and played with his band and sextet until he left New York in 1966. I played with many people during my nine years in NYC,
including a two-year stint with jazz legend Howard McGhee’s big band, of which Steve Schaeffer was a member. New York had such an exciting and vital jazz scene in the ‘60s, and I was privileged to play a small part in it. I was around so much great music during those years, and I tried to absorb it all. I hope some of it shows a little in these tunes.”
Morgan’s signature sound has endured from his early years with Maynard Ferguson through decades of prominence with other bands and as leader of his own small groups. Since the ‘60s, his career has spanned an A-Z list of involvement with everyone notable in the recent history of jazz—Supersax, Bill Holman, Frank Capp’s Juggernaut, to name a few. A significant endorsement of his earned respect was the prestigious guest spot in a 2004 program titled “Bird Lives,” a tribute to revered alto saxman Charlie Parker. The program spotlighted Morgan in a performance with members of the Pasadena Symphony, reproducing the famous recording of “Charlie Parker with Strings,” and in a quartet setting, playing famous Parker tunes.
Overall, credits include TV, movie soundtracks, more than 100 albums, regular guest appearances throughout the U.K. and at major world festivals. Appearances at nearly 100 colleges and high schools coast-to-coast inspired of “Lanny’s Licks,” a book for beginning jazz improv students (Rheuben Publications). He has been an instructor for the past several years at Idyllwild Jazz Camp.
Morgan-led recordings are: “A Suite for Yardbird”(Fresh Sound FSR 5023 CD), “Pacific Standard” (Contemporary CCD 12085-2), “The Lanny Morgan Quartet” (VSOP #92), “It’s About Time” (Quicksilver Records QSCD2024, Palo Alto Jazz Masters).
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