Lenny Pickett | |
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![]() Pickett in 2018 | |
Background information | |
Born | Las Cruces, New Mexico, U.S. | April 10, 1954
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Years active | 1972–present |
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Formerly of | Tower of Power |
Website | www |
Lenny Pickett (born April 10, 1954) [1] is an American saxophonist and musical director of the Saturday Night Live band. [2] From 1973 to 1981, he was a member of the band Tower of Power.
Picket was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico. [1] In the 1970s and early 1980s, he led the horn section for Tower of Power, a funk band from the San Francisco Bay area. He was also a frequent session band member that backed many musicians in multiple genres, from Elton John to musicians in the soul music, rhythm and blues, and funk music genres. [3] Tower of Power also released its own albums as a group. [1]
Pickett joined the Saturday Night Live Band in 1985 and has served as the band's musical director since G. E. Smith was fired during the cast exodus in 1995. [4] [3]
Apart from Saturday Night Live and Tower of Power, Pickett has worked extensively as a session musician for a wide range of performers and genres. [3] [2]