| B i o g r a p h y |
Supersax was a jazz group created in 1972 by saxophonist Med Flory and bassist Buddy Clark,
in tribute to iconic bebop saxophonist Charlie Parker. The group's
music consisted of harmonized arrangements of Charlie Parker
improvisations played by a saxophone section (2 altos, 2 tenors, and a
baritone), rhythm section (bass, piano and drums), and a brass
instrument (trombone or trumpet).
Notable brass soloists that recorded with the group included Conte Candoli (trumpet), Frank Rosolino (trombone) and Carl Fontana
(trombone). On the group's recordings their music was tightly
orchestrated, with arrangements by Flory that contained little or no
calls for improvisation (although members of the band would often solo
at live performances).
Saxophonist Warne Marsh was a member in the first edition of the
group, and although he was never given freedom to solo on any officially
released materials, Lee Konitz has stated that there are bootleg tapes
of the group where Warne played a solo.
They won the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance by a Group in 1974.
They were also part of the Grammy-nominated 1983 recording "Supersax
& L.A. Voices, Volume 1", in which the L.A. Voices were nominated
for Best Jazz Vocal Performance - Duo Or Group. Med Flory also wrote the
vocal arrangements for this recording.