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Al Sears

Albert Omega Sears (February 21, 1910 – March 23, 1990) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and bandleader, sometimes credited as Big Al Sears.

Sears was born in Macomb, Illinois, United States. His first major gig came in 1928 when he replaced Johnny Hodges in Chick Webb's ensemble. Following this he played with Elmer Snowden (1931–32), then led his own groups between 1933 and 1941. In the early 1940s he was with Andy Kirk (1941–42) and Lionel Hampton (1943-44) before he became a member of Duke Ellington's Orchestra in 1944, replacing Ben Webster. He remained with Ellington until 1949, when first Jimmy Forrest and then Paul Gonsalves took over his chair. He played with Johnny Hodges in 1951–52 and recorded the tune "Castle Rock" with him; the tune became a hit but was released under Hodges's name.

Sears was in Alan Freed's band when Freed did live shows, being introduced as "Big Al Sears." He played as a studio musician on R&B albums in the 1950s and recorded two albums for Swingville in 1960. He also owned several record labels, including Arock, Serock, and Gator.

In 1990, he died in St. Albans, New York, at the age of 80.

Birth and Death Data: Born February 22, 1910 (Macomb), Died March 23, 1990 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1929 - 1957

Roles Represented in DAHR: tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone, saxophone

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 76-89 of 89 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 101669 2/15/1957 Sometimes I'm happy Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 102267 4/15/1957 Swizzle time Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 102268 4/15/1957 Late hours Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 102269 4/15/1957 You for me Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 102270 4/15/1957 Readin', writin' and rockin' Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 102279 4/16/1957 Three bad men Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 102280 4/16/1957 Gumbo rock Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 102281 4/16/1957 Kissing rock Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 102282 4/16/1957 Sweet potato pie Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 102283 4/17/1957 The street Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 102284 4/17/1957 Mr. Onion head Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 102285 4/17/1957 Ease down Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 102286 4/17/1957 The king's ring Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca N 2994 10-in. 1/2/1945 Midriff Duke Ellington Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
(Results 76-89 of 89 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Sears, Al," accessed November 21, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/109665.

Sears, Al. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/109665.

"Sears, Al." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 21 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/109665

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