User:Turbinton/Earl Turbinton

Earl Turbinton (September 23, 1941-August 3, 2007) was an American jazz musician, composer, bandleader, and educator who helped pioneer the modern jazz scene in New Orleans. He is the older brother of New Orleans pianist Wilson "Willie Tee" Turbinton.

Turbinton's eclectic musical journey includes work with Professor Longhair, Gatemouth Brown, Allen Toussaint, the Wild Magnolias, Bill Doggett, Jerry Butler, Labelle, the American Jazz Quintet, Champion Jack Dupree, Lowell Fulson, the Neville Brothers, Andy J. Forest, J Monque'D, Buster Williams, Reuben Wilson and Ron Levy. He also performed with luminaries such as Joe Zawinul, and B. B. King.

“He was a high-profile, spiritual persona and a torchbearer for stretching the envelope, for taking the music to higher heights," said Jason Patterson, the talent buyer at Snug Harbor jazz bistro. "He took Coltrane's approach and made it personal."

Mr. Turbinton directed the jazz studies program at Xavier University and taught privately. His students included vocalist Cassandra Wilson, saxophonists Wessell Anderson, Donald Harrison, Jr., and trumpeter Terence Blanchard. The National Endowment for the Arts named him a Jazz Fellow in 1983.

References:

CTI discography accessed February 19, 2010

The Times-Picayune August 9, 2007

UPI April 3, 2002