Wessell Anderson

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Wessell Anderson
Born1966
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Genres Jazz
OccupationMusician
InstrumentSaxophone
Years active1980–present

Wessell "Warmdaddy" Anderson (born 1966) is an American jazz alto and sopranino saxophonist known for his virtuosic playing and long-term collaborations with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

Contents

Anderson was raised in the Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights neighborhoods of Brooklyn, New York. Encouraged by his father, a professional drummer, he developed an early passion for jazz, performing in local clubs by his early teens. [1] He studied at the Jazzmobile workshops, learning from masters such as Frank Wess, Charles Davis, and Frank Foster. [2] His encounter with Branford Marsalis led him to study under clarinetist Alvin Batiste at Southern University in Louisiana, deepening his jazz education. [3]

Following his studies, Anderson joined the Wynton Marsalis Septet, touring extensively through the 1990s and contributing significantly to Marsalis's projects. [4] He became a mainstay of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, recognized for his expressive alto and sopranino saxophone work. [5] Anderson released his debut album, Warmdaddy in the Garden of Swing, in 1994 on Atlantic Records, featuring pianist Eric Reed and bassist Ben Wolfe. [6] His 1998 album Live at the Village Vanguard highlighted collaborations with rising stars such as trumpeter Irvin Mayfield, bassist Steve Kirby, pianist Xavier Davis, and drummer Jaz Sawyer. [7]

Career milestones

Personal life

Anderson remains closely connected to his Brooklyn roots, often citing his upbringing in Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights as pivotal in shaping his musical style and identity. [8] His father’s career as a drummer deeply influenced his early engagement with rhythm and jazz traditions. [12] Outside of music, Anderson has participated in numerous jazz education initiatives, mentoring young musicians and supporting community music programs. [13]

Discography

As sideman

With Wynton Marsalis

References

  1. ↑ Johnson, David (March 1995). "Young Saxophonist Wessell Anderson Comes into His Own". DownBeat. p. 22.
  2. ↑ Kelley, Robin. "Jazzmobile's Legacy: An Oral History". JazzTimes. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  3. ↑ Porter, Lewis (2002). Jazz: A Century of Change. Schirmer Books. p. 354. ISBN   9780028647474.{{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
  4. ↑ Gourse, Lenny. "Wynton Marsalis: His Life and Music". AllMusic. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  5. ↑ Smith, John. "Wessell Anderson: Jazz at Lincoln Center's Versatile Saxophonist". Jazz at Lincoln Center. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  6. ↑ Chinen, Nate (1994). "Wessell Anderson: Warmdaddy in the Garden of Swing". JazzTimes. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  7. ↑ Milkowski, Bill (September 1998). "Live at the Village Vanguard Review". DownBeat. p. 47.
  8. 1 2 Johnson, Marcus (June 2003). "The Brooklyn Roots of Wessell Anderson". JazzTimes. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  9. ↑ Porter, Lester A. (1997). Jazz: A Century of Change. Schirmer Books. p. 212. ISBN   978-0028647094.{{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
  10. ↑ Gourse, Leslie (2004). Louis Armstrong's Hot Five and Hot Seven Recordings. Oxford University Press. p. 157. ISBN   978-0195169649.{{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
  11. ↑ Chinen, Nate (April 10, 1994). "Wessell Anderson: Warmdaddy in the Garden of Swing Review". The New York Times. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  12. ↑ Kelley, Robin D. (2009). Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original. Free Press. p. 250. ISBN   978-1416570761.{{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
  13. ↑ Brown, Michelle (April 15, 2010). "Wessell Anderson's Work with Youth Jazz Education". The New York Times. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Wessell Anderson Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
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