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Dick Oatts

Dick Oatts
Dick-Oatts.jpg
In Aarhus, Denmark (2012)
Photo Hreinn Gudlaugsson
Background information
Birth name Richard Dennis Oatts
Born (1953-04-02) April 2, 1953 (age 63)
Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Genres Jazz, Hard bop
Occupation(s) Musician, Composer, Educator
Instruments alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute, clarinet, piano
Years active 1972-present
Labels Steeplechase, RED, DMP
Associated acts Jerry Bergonzi, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Flim & the BB's, Terell Stafford
Website www.dickoattsmusic.com

Richard Dennis "Dick" Oatts (born April 2, 1953 in Des Moines, Iowa) is an American jazz saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and educator from Jefferson, Iowa. He is currently a professor and director of the jazz studies department at Temple University in Philadelphia, and an artist-in-residence at the Amsterdam Conservatory.

Oatts first became interested in saxophone due to his father Jack Oatts, a respected jazz educator and saxophonist. He attended Drake University before beginning his professional career in Minneapolis in 1972. In 1977, he joined the The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, which later became the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra

Oatts' work on woodwind instruments (Soprano, alto & tenor saxophones, clarinet, and flute) became more widely known as he fronted the crossover jazz group, Flim & the BB's in the 1980s and 90s. In tandem with bassist Jimmy "Flim" Johnson, drummer Bill Berg, and keyboardist Billy Barber, Oatts rounded out the contemporary jazz foursome to release several popular albums.


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