Herb Geller
| Herb Geller | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Herbert Arnold Geller |
| Born |
November 2, 1928 Los Angeles, California, US |
| Died | December 19, 2013 (aged 85) Hamburg, Germany |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, arranger |
| Instruments | Saxophone, flute |
| Years active | 1946–2013 |
| Associated acts | Lorraine Geller |
| Website | www |
Herbert Arnold Geller (November 2, 1928 – December 19, 2013) was an American jazz saxophonist, composer and arranger. He was born in Los Angeles, California.
His mother, Frances (née Frances Mildred Fullman, aka Fannie Fullman; 1899–1980), worked at the Hollywood neighborhood cinemas playing piano, accompanying silent movies. At the age of 8, Geller was presented with an alto saxophone, purchased from a local music store owner and music teacher who was also a friend of the family and had a used instrument for sale. Two years later he started clarinet. Geller attended Dorsey High School in the southwestern part of Los Angeles and joined the school band which among others included the musicians Eric Dolphy and Vi Redd. At the age of 14, he heard Benny Carter perform at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles and was so impressed that he decided to pursue a career in music, specializing on the alto saxophone. Two years later, he had his first professional engagement in the band of jazz violinist Joe Venuti.
A short time later he discovered the music of Charlie Parker, who became an important idol along with Benny Carter and Johnny Hodges. In 1949 Geller went to New York City for the first time, where he performed in the bands of Jack Fina, (with Paul Desmond also in the sax section), Claude Thornhill, Jerry Wald and Lucky Millinder. During this time he met pianist Lorraine Walsh in Los Angeles. Walsh later became his wife in New York and an important musical partner. She pursued a career under her name.
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