Honking

[chibiz]

I'm looking for Jazz players in the 30's and 40's who played a style called "Honking" while they played.:smokin:

[LAL]

The earliest players that come to mind are Illinois Jacquet followed by Arnett Cobb. You may want to check out Illinois' soloing on 'Flying Home' with Lionel Hampton's band and also an early (1944?) Jazz at the Philharmonic session in which Illinois was a featured performer.

[Fran]

Someone correct me. but I think Illinois was less a honker and more a squealer.
I believe Sam Taylor was once considered the epitome of the Honkers. A real down and dirty style.
Honkers often could be found walking the bars in strip clubs.

[PDEE]

Lester Young was the " father" of Honking. Creating the effect by repeating a note using alternative fingering. His use of it however is probably 'tamer' than you are looking for.

For honking and playing to the audience, taken to the extremme, look for the JATP set featuring Jacquet and Flip Phillips.. The Perdido, Mordido, Endido set.. used to be "Midnight Jazz at Carnegie Hall". I think it may only br available in the Jatp box set.

The Honkers and Bar Walkers sets on Delmark records will give you a good cross representation of the types of records which were made based on this Tenor sax style. Generally directed more towards the R&B market

Proper also have a set THe Big Horn which covers similar territory.

[Tenorman]

Go for the ProperBox set "The Big Horn The History of the Honkin' & Screamin' Saxophone

Illinois Jacquet, Big Jim Wynn, Arnett Cobb, Wild Bill Moore, Red Prysock, Willis Jackson etc. etc. Pretty Cheap for 4 CDs (About £15 in the UK)

I can strongly recommend it - this was the musical style which led me kicking and screaming into Jazz