About

Sahib Shihab (born Edmond Gregory 23 June 1925 in Savannah, Georgia – died 24 October 1989 in Tennessee) was a jazz saxophonist (baritone, alto, and soprano) and flautist.

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He first played alto saxophone professionally for Luther Henderson at age 13 and went on to study at the Boston Conservatory and to play with trumpetist Roy Eldridge. He played lead alto with Fletcher Henderson in the mid forties. He was one of the first jazz musicians to convert to Islam and changed his name in 1947. During the late 1940s Shihab played with Thelonious Monk. During this period he also found time to appear on many recordings by artists including Art Blakey, Kenny Dorham and Benny Golson. The invitation to play with Dizzy Gillespie's big band in the early fifties was of particular significance as it marked Sahib's switch to baritone. – Jazz Music Archives

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This excellent reissue spotlights great groups Sahib worked with in late 50s. Phil Woods (as), Bill Evans (p), others on hand.