Dick Oatts | |
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In Aarhus, Denmark (2012)
Photo Hreinn Gudlaugsson |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Richard Dennis Oatts |
Born |
Des Moines, Iowa, United States |
April 2, 1953
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 |
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.