Jerry Weldon | |
---|---|
Birth name | Jerry Weldon |
Born | 1957 |
Genres | Jazz, hard bop |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instruments | saxophone |
Years active | 1981-Present |
Associated acts |
Harry Connick, Jr. Lionel Hampton Jack McDuff |
Website | Website |
Jerry Weldon (born 27 September 1957 in New York City) is a tenor saxophonist, noted for his involvement in various groups such as Lionel Hampton Orchestra and Harry Connick, Jr.s big band. He is seen as a "veteran" of the New York jazz scene.
Weldon graduated from Rutgers University Jazz Program in 1981 and joined the Lionel Hampton Orchestra. Weldon worked with Hampton until he died in 2002. Jerry subsequently worked with organist Jack McDuff & his "Heatin' System," as well as organists Jimmy McGriff, Joey DeFrancesco, Bobby Forrester, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and Mel Rhyne, trombone great Al Grey, piano giants George Cables and Cedar Walton, drum legends Roy Haynes and Jimmy Cobb as well as guitarist/singer George Benson, guitarist Earl Klugh, bassist Keter Betts, singer Mel Tormé and many other jazz legends.
In 1990, Jerry became a charter member and featured soloist with Harry Connick Jr.'s newly formed big band. Since then Jerry has toured the U.S., Europe, Asia and Australia with Harry and was also part of Connick's Broadway musical production, "Thou Shalt Not" and appeared on stage as well as in the orchestra. Jerry can be seen daily as a member of the “house band” on HARRY, Connick’s daytime television variety show