The Memphis Horns
Encyclopedia
The Memphis Horns are an American
horn section
made famous by their many appearances on Stax Records
. They have been called "arguably the greatest soul
horn section ever." Originally a sextet, the Memphis Horns gradually slimmed down to a duo, Wayne Jackson on trumpet
and Andrew Love on tenor saxophone
.
The Memphis Horns appeared on nearly every recording for Stax that included a horn section — with Isaac Hayes
, Otis Redding
, Rufus Thomas
, Sam and Dave and others — as well as on other releases, including The Doobie Brothers
' What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits
and U2
's Rattle and Hum
, as well as a few solo records.
In the Seventies, they recorded with Al Green
, Neil Diamond
, Elvis Presley
, and Stephen Stills
. They toured with Stills in 1971. In the Eighties, they played behind Sting and Peter Gabriel
.
In the 1980s and '90s Wayne and Andrew worked extensively with the blues outfit, The Robert Cray Band. They provided their trademark funky/soul horns backing to five of the band's albums: Strong Persuader
(1986); Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
(1988); Midnight Stroll
(1990); I Was Warned
(1992); Sweet Potato Pie
(1997).
In 1992, they released their own album Flame Out, produced by fellow Stax alumnus Terry Manning
.
Following the retirement of Andrew Love, Wayne Jackson and another musician who had been working with Memphis Horns, Tom McGinley, continued to record on projects such as Neil Young's "Prairie Wind" (2005).
In 2007, Wayne Jackson reunited with former longtime member Jack Hale, reforming The Memphis Horns (also including McGinley) in order to join a supergroup of musical legends backing singer-songwriter Andrew Jon Thomson on his "All Star Superband" multi-album project.
In 2008, this line-up of Memphis Horns played on some songs on the Raconteurs
record, Consolers of the Lonely
.
Also in 2008, Memphis Horns were inducted into the Musicians' Hall of Fame
and recorded with Jack White
(White Stripes, the Raconteurs
) and Alicia Keys
on the song "Another Way to Die," for the 22nd James Bond
movie, Quantum of Solace.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
horn section
Horn section
In music, a horn section can refer to several groups of musicians. It can refer to the musicians in a symphony orchestra who play the horn . In a British-style brass band it refers to the tenor horn players. In popular music, it can also refer to a small group of wind instrumentalists who augment a...
made famous by their many appearances on Stax Records
Stax Records
Stax Records is an American record label, originally based in Memphis, Tennessee.Founded in 1957 as Satellite Records, the name Stax Records was adopted in 1961. The label was a major factor in the creation of the Southern soul and Memphis soul music styles, also releasing gospel, funk, jazz, and...
. They have been called "arguably the greatest soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
horn section ever." Originally a sextet, the Memphis Horns gradually slimmed down to a duo, Wayne Jackson on trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
and Andrew Love on tenor saxophone
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...
.
The Memphis Horns appeared on nearly every recording for Stax that included a horn section — with Isaac Hayes
Isaac Hayes
Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr. was an American songwriter, musician, singer and actor. Hayes was one of the creative influences behind the southern soul music label Stax Records, where he served both as an in-house songwriter and as a record producer, teaming with his partner David Porter during the...
, Otis Redding
Otis Redding
Otis Ray Redding, Jr. was an American soul singer-songwriter, record producer, arranger and talent scout. He is considered one of the major figures in soul and R&B...
, Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas, Jr. was an American rhythm and blues, funk and soul singer and comedian fromMemphis, Tennessee, who recorded on Sun Records in the...
, Sam and Dave and others — as well as on other releases, including The Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers are an American rock band. The group has sold over 40 million units worldwide throughout their career. The Doobie Brothers were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.-Original incarnation:...
' What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits
What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits
What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits is the fourth studio album by American rock band The Doobie Brothers, released in 1974.-Recording and content:...
and U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
's Rattle and Hum
Rattle and Hum
Rattle and Hum is the sixth studio album by rock band U2 and companion rockumentary directed by Phil Joanou, both released in 1988. The film and the album feature live recordings, covers, and new songs...
, as well as a few solo records.
In the Seventies, they recorded with Al Green
Al Green
Albert Greene , better known as Al Green, is an American gospel and soul music singer. He reached the peak of his popularity in the 1970s, with hit singles such as "You Oughta Be With Me", "I'm Still In Love With You", "Love and Happiness", and "Let's Stay Together"...
, Neil Diamond
Neil Diamond
Neil Leslie Diamond is an American singer-songwriter with a career spanning over five decades from the 1960s until the present....
, Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
, and Stephen Stills
Stephen Stills
Stephen Arthur Stills is an American guitarist and singer/songwriter best known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash . He has performed on a professional level in several other bands as well as maintaining a solo career at the same time...
. They toured with Stills in 1971. In the Eighties, they played behind Sting and Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
.
In the 1980s and '90s Wayne and Andrew worked extensively with the blues outfit, The Robert Cray Band. They provided their trademark funky/soul horns backing to five of the band's albums: Strong Persuader
Strong Persuader
Strong Persuader is American blues guitarist Robert Cray's fifth studio album, released in 1986, and became his breakthrough album to the mainstream. "Strong Persuader" also became a nickname for Cray...
(1986); Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (album)
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, released in 1988, was American blues musician Robert Cray's follow-up to Strong Persuader. It was unable to match the mainstream success of Strong Persuader, despite having an equal number of gems.-Track listing:...
(1988); Midnight Stroll
Midnight Stroll
Midnight Stroll is a blues album by Robert Cray and featuring the Memphis Horns. It was released in June 1990 through Mercury Records.-Track listing:#"The Forecast " – 4:00#"These Things" – 4:55...
(1990); I Was Warned
I Was Warned
I Was Warned is a blues album by Robert Cray. It was released in April 1992 through Mercury Records.- Track listing :# "Just a Loser" – 4:23# "I'm a Good Man" – 4:12# "I Was Warned" – 7:15...
(1992); Sweet Potato Pie
Sweet potato pie
Sweet potato pie is a traditional side dish in the Southern United States. It is often served during the American holiday season, especially at Thanksgiving, and is similar in many ways to pumpkin pie...
(1997).
In 1992, they released their own album Flame Out, produced by fellow Stax alumnus Terry Manning
Terry Manning
Terry Manning is a music producer, songwriter, photographer and recording engineer known for work in rock, rhythm and blues, and pop music genres....
.
Following the retirement of Andrew Love, Wayne Jackson and another musician who had been working with Memphis Horns, Tom McGinley, continued to record on projects such as Neil Young's "Prairie Wind" (2005).
In 2007, Wayne Jackson reunited with former longtime member Jack Hale, reforming The Memphis Horns (also including McGinley) in order to join a supergroup of musical legends backing singer-songwriter Andrew Jon Thomson on his "All Star Superband" multi-album project.
In 2008, this line-up of Memphis Horns played on some songs on the Raconteurs
The Raconteurs
The Raconteurs is an American rock band that was formed in Detroit, Michigan, featuring four members known for other musical projects: Jack White , Brendan Benson , Jack Lawrence , and Patrick Keeler .-Formation:The...
record, Consolers of the Lonely
Consolers of the Lonely
Consolers of the Lonely is the second album of The Raconteurs. It was released on March 25, 2008 on Warner Bros. Records in most parts of the world, and a day earlier on XL Recordings in the UK....
.
Also in 2008, Memphis Horns were inducted into the Musicians' Hall of Fame
and recorded with Jack White
Jack White (musician)
Jack White , often credited as Jack White III, is an American musician, songwriter, record producer and occasional actor...
(White Stripes, the Raconteurs
The Raconteurs
The Raconteurs is an American rock band that was formed in Detroit, Michigan, featuring four members known for other musical projects: Jack White , Brendan Benson , Jack Lawrence , and Patrick Keeler .-Formation:The...
) and Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys
Alicia Augello Cook , better known by her stage name Alicia Keys, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress. She was raised by a single mother in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan in New York City. At age seven, Keys began playing the piano...
on the song "Another Way to Die," for the 22nd James Bond
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
movie, Quantum of Solace.
Personnel
- Wayne Jackson - trumpetTrumpetThe trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
(born 24 November 1941, in MemphisMemphis, TennesseeMemphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
, TennesseeTennesseeTennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, USA) - Andrew Love - tenor saxophoneTenor saxophoneThe 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...
(born 21 November 1941, in MemphisMemphis, TennesseeMemphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
, TennesseeTennesseeTennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, USA) - Lewis Collins - saxophoneSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
, fluteFluteThe flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening... - Jack Hale, Jr. - trumpetTrumpetThe trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
, french horn, tromboneTromboneThe trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
(born in 1955, in MemphisMemphis, TennesseeMemphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
, TennesseeTennesseeTennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, USA - Ed Logan - tenor saxophoneTenor saxophoneThe 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...
(born Edward Logan, 12 February 1945, in MemphisMemphis, TennesseeMemphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
, TennesseeTennesseeTennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, USA died 13 April 2000, in MobileMobile, AlabamaMobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
, AlabamaAlabamaAlabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, USA) - James Mitchell - baritone saxophoneBaritone saxophoneThe baritone saxophone, often called "bari sax" , is one of the largest and lowest pitched members of the saxophone family. It was invented by Adolphe Sax. The baritone is distinguished from smaller sizes of saxophone by the extra loop near its mouthpiece...
(born 27 May 1949, in AshlandAshland, TennesseeAshland is an unincorporated community located in Wayne County, Tennessee, United States.....
, KentuckyKentuckyThe Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, USA) - Ben CauleyBen CauleyBen Cauley is an American trumpet player, vocalist, and founding member of the Stax recording group, The Bar-Kays. He is the sole survivor of the 1967 plane crash that claimed the lives of soul singer Otis Redding and four members of the Bar-Kays.-The Bar-Kays:The Bar-Kays were formed in the...
- trumpetTrumpetThe trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air... - Roger Hopps - trumpetTrumpetThe trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
Discography
- The Memphis Horns (1970)
- Horns For Everything (1972)
- "High On Music"(1976)
- "Get Up & DanceGet Up & Dance (The Memphis Horns album)Get Up & Dance is the fourth album by The Memphis Horns.-Track listing:#Get Up And Dance #Just For Your Love #Waitin' For The Flood #Love Is Happiness #Memphis Nights #What The Funk #Country Soul #No Go Betweens...
"(1977) - "The Memphis Horns Band II" (1978)
- Welcome To Memphis (1979)
- Flame Out (1992)
- The Memphis Horns With Special Guests (1995)
- Wishing You A Merry Christmas (1996)