Al Klink
Encyclopedia
Al Klink was an American swing jazz tenor saxophonist
.
Klink played with Glenn Miller
from 1939 to 1942, and is heard trading solos with Tex Beneke
on the most well-known version of "In the Mood
". When Miller started playing in the U.S. military, Klink played with Benny Goodman
and Tommy Dorsey
, and did work as a session musician
after World War II
. From 1952 to 1953 he played with the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra
. In 1955, he recorded his only session as a bandleader
, doing six songs for a Bob Alexander
album which won a Grammy award
. After the 1950s he disappeared from record until 1974, when he began playing with the World's Greatest Jazz Band
. Later in the 1970s he played with Glenn Zottola
and George Masso
, and continued playing until the mid-1980s, when he retired in Florida
. He died there in 1991.
Tenor saxophone
The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor, with the alto, are the two most common types of saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B, and written as a transposing instrument in the treble...
.
Klink played with Glenn Miller
Glenn Miller
Alton Glenn Miller was an American jazz musician , arranger, composer, and bandleader in the swing era. He was one of the best-selling recording artists from 1939 to 1943, leading one of the best known "Big Bands"...
from 1939 to 1942, and is heard trading solos with Tex Beneke
Tex Beneke
Gordon Lee Beneke , professionally known as Tex Beneke, was an American saxophonist, singer, and bandleader. His career is a history of associations with bandleader Glenn Miller and former musicians and singers who worked with Miller. His band is also associated with the careers of Eydie Gorme...
on the most well-known version of "In the Mood
In the Mood
"In the Mood" is a big band era #1 hit recorded by American bandleader Glenn Miller. Joe Garland and Andy Razaf arranged "In the Mood" in 1937-1939 using a previously existing main theme composed by Glenn Miller before the start of the 1930s...
". When Miller started playing in the U.S. military, Klink played with Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman
Benjamin David “Benny” Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing".In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America...
and Tommy Dorsey
Tommy Dorsey
Thomas Francis "Tommy" Dorsey, Jr. was an American jazz trombonist, trumpeter, composer, and bandleader of the Big Band era. He was known as "The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing", due to his smooth-toned trombone playing. He was the younger brother of bandleader Jimmy Dorsey...
, and did work as a session musician
Session musician
Session musicians are instrumental and vocal performers, musicians, who are available to work with others at live performances or recording sessions. Usually such musicians are not permanent members of a musical ensemble and often do not achieve fame in their own right as soloists or bandleaders...
after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. From 1952 to 1953 he played with the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra
Sauter-Finegan Orchestra
The Sauter-Finegan Orchestra was an American swing jazz band popular in the 1950s.The orchestra was led by Eddie Sauter and Bill Finegan, who were both experienced big band arrangers. Sauter played mellophone, trumpet, and drums, and had attended Columbia University and Juilliard; Finegan had...
. In 1955, he recorded his only session as a bandleader
Bandleader
A bandleader is the leader of a band of musicians. The term is most commonly, though not exclusively, used with a group that plays popular music as a small combo or a big band, such as one which plays jazz, blues, rhythm and blues or rock and roll music....
, doing six songs for a Bob Alexander
Bob Alexander
Robert Somerville Alexander was a Canadian professional baseball pitcher. He attended Bethany College in West Virginia. Alexander was signed by the New York Yankees in . However, he did not make his major league debut until 1955 with the Baltimore Orioles...
album which won a Grammy award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
. After the 1950s he disappeared from record until 1974, when he began playing with the World's Greatest Jazz Band
World's Greatest Jazz Band
The World's Greatest Jazz Band was an all-star jazz ensemble active from 1968 to 1978.Dick Gibson founded the group at his sixth Jazz Party, an annual event. The group performed mostly Dixieland jazz and recorded extensively. It was co-led by Yank Lawson and Bob Haggart, and did early jazz...
. Later in the 1970s he played with Glenn Zottola
Glenn Zottola
Glenn Zottola, born in Port Chester, New York, is an American jazz trumpeter and saxophonist.Zottola is known for his work with Lionel Hampton, the Benny Goodman Sextet and Bob Wilber, and has played for a broad range of vocalists, particularly Mel Tormé, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald...
and George Masso
George Masso
George Masso , born in Cranston, Rhode Island, is an American jazz trombonist, bandleader, vibraphonist and composer specializing in swing and Dixieland styles. Masso is most notable for his work from 1948-1950 in the Jimmy Dorsey band...
, and continued playing until the mid-1980s, when he retired in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. He died there in 1991.