Odean Pope
Encyclopedia
Odean Pope is an American jazz
tenor saxophonist.
Pope was raised in Philadelphia, where he learned from Ray Bryant
while young. Early in his career, at Philadelphia’s Uptown Theater, Pope played behind a number of noted rhythm and blues artists including James Brown
, Marvin Gaye
and Stevie Wonder
.
He played briefly in the 1960s with Jimmy McGriff
, and late in the 1960s he began working with Max Roach
, including on tours of Europe in 1967-68. He was a member of Philadelphia group Catalyst
in the early and mid-1970s, and assembled the Saxophone Choir, which consists of nine saxophones and a rhythm section (piano, bass and drums), in 1977. He became a regular member of Roach's quartet in 1979 and has recorded extensively with him, in addition to numerous releases as a leader.
Pope has publicly spoken about his bipolar disorder
, which he has had for over 30 years.
Pope was quoted in 2001 as saying, “Every time I pick that horn up there's always something that I discover I can do differently if I really seek. If you were on planet Earth for, like, 2 billion years, I feel as though there's always something new that you can find to do. There's no end.”
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
tenor saxophonist.
Pope was raised in Philadelphia, where he learned from Ray Bryant
Ray Bryant
Raphael Homer "Ray" Bryant was an American Jazz pianist and composer.-Biography:Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ray Bryant began playing the piano at the age of six, also performing on bass in junior High School...
while young. Early in his career, at Philadelphia’s Uptown Theater, Pope played behind a number of noted rhythm and blues artists including James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
, Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
and Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
.
He played briefly in the 1960s with Jimmy McGriff
Jimmy McGriff
James Harrell McGriff was an American hard bop and soul-jazz organist and organ trio bandleader who developed a distinctive style of playing the Hammond B-3 organ.-Early years and influences:...
, and late in the 1960s he began working with Max Roach
Max Roach
Maxwell Lemuel "Max" Roach was an American jazz percussionist, drummer, and composer.A pioneer of bebop, Roach went on to work in many other styles of music, and is generally considered alongside the most important drummers in history...
, including on tours of Europe in 1967-68. He was a member of Philadelphia group Catalyst
Catalyst (band)
Catalyst was a funk/jazz quartet from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, whose material presaged the work of later jazz fusion artists. The group encountered regional success in the 1970s and have become more widely known since the re-release of their material on CD....
in the early and mid-1970s, and assembled the Saxophone Choir, which consists of nine saxophones and a rhythm section (piano, bass and drums), in 1977. He became a regular member of Roach's quartet in 1979 and has recorded extensively with him, in addition to numerous releases as a leader.
Pope has publicly spoken about his bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder or bipolar affective disorder, historically known as manic–depressive disorder, is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one or...
, which he has had for over 30 years.
Pope was quoted in 2001 as saying, “Every time I pick that horn up there's always something that I discover I can do differently if I really seek. If you were on planet Earth for, like, 2 billion years, I feel as though there's always something new that you can find to do. There's no end.”
As leader
- Almost Like Me (1982)
- The Saxophone ShopThe Saxophone ShopThe Saxophone Shop is an album by the American jazz saxophonist Odean Pope recorded in 1985 and released on the Italian Soul Note label.-Reception:...
(Soul Note, 1985) - The PondererThe PondererThe Ponderer is an album by the American jazz saxophonist Odean Pope recorded in 1990 and released on the Italian Soul Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review awarded the album 4½ stars.-Track listing:# "Overture" - 6:10...
(Soul Note, 1990) - Out for a Walk (1990)
- EpitomeEpitome (album)Epitome is an album by the American jazz saxophonist Odean Pope recorded in 1993 and released on the Italian Soul Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Al Campbell awarded the album 4 stars stating "This is a truly unique and moving ensemble, making any of their discs recommended".-Track...
(Soul Note, 1993) - Ninety Six (1996)
- Collective Voices (1996)
- Ebioto (1999)
- Changes & Changes (1999)
- Philadelphia Spirit in New York, (2001) CIMP
- Nothing Is Wrong (2004)
- Two Dreams (2004)
- Locked & Loaded: Live at the Blue Note (2006) U.S. Jazz #24
- The Misled Children Meet Odean Pope (2008)
- Odean's List (2009) In+Out records
As sideman
With Max RoachMax Roach
Maxwell Lemuel "Max" Roach was an American jazz percussionist, drummer, and composer.A pioneer of bebop, Roach went on to work in many other styles of music, and is generally considered alongside the most important drummers in history...
- Pictures in a FramePictures in a FramePictures in a Frame is an album by American jazz drummer Max Roach recorded in 1979 for the Italian Soul Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4 stars stating "Although the group would continue to grow and evolve, it was already a pretty impressive unit by 1979...
(Soul Note, 1979) - In the Light (Soul Note, 1982)
- It's Christmas AgainIt's Christmas AgainIt's Christmas Again is an album by American jazz drummer Max Roach recorded in 1984 for the Italian Soul Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 2½ stars stating "It's Christmas Again is a project that for many did not work, but no matter how you slice it, an...
(Soul Note, 1984) - Easy WinnersEasy Winners (album)Easy Winners is an album by American jazz drummer Max Roach recorded in 1985 for the Italian Soul Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4½ stars stating "The wide variety of colors and the consistently-strong improvisations make this a highly recommended set of...
(Soul Note, 1985) - Bright MomentsBright Moments (Max Roach album)Bright Moments is an album by American jazz drummer Max Roach recorded in 1986 for the Italian Soul Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4½ stars calling it "A frequently exquisite yet adventurous album, highly recommended".-Track listing:# "Bright Moments" -...
(Soul Note, 1986)