Maurice James Simon

Maurice James Simon (March 26, 1929 – August 6, 2019) was an American jazz saxophonist.^[1]

Maurice James Simon
Born	(1929-03-26)March 26, 1929 Houston, Texas, U.S.
Died	August 6, 2019(2019-08-06) (aged 90)
Genres	Jazz
Instruments	Saxophone

Life and career

A high school classmate of Eric Dolphy,^[2] Simon appeared on an early-1945 Los Angeles recording in a band led by Russell Jacquet and which also included Teddy Edwards, Charles Mingus, Bill Davis and Chico Hamilton.^[3]

In 1948, Simon was in an all-star band recording in Detroit, which included Sonny Stitt, Leo Parker, Sir Charles Thompson, Al Lucas and Shadow Wilson.^[4] He went on to join the Gerald Wilson Orchestra which also included Snooky Young, Red Kelly and Melba Liston.^[5]

In 1950, he recorded for Savoy Records backing Helen Humes in a big band with Dexter Gordon, Ernie Freeman, Red Callender and J.C. Heard. In the 1970s, he was a member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra.

Simon also played with Fats Domino, Papa John Creach, Big Maybelle, Faye Adams, Bumble Bee Slim, Percy Mayfield and B. B. King.^[6]

Simon died on August 6, 2019, at the age of 90.^[1][7]

Discography

As sideman

• 1956: Singin' the Blues (Crown)