13 Facts About Hamiet Bluiett

Hamiet Bluiett was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer.

Hamiet Bluiett began his musical career by playing the clarinet for barrelhouse dances in Brooklyn, Illinois, before joining the Navy band in 1961.

Hamiet Bluiett led the BAG big band during 1968 and 1969.

In late 1969, Hamiet Bluiett moved to New York City, where he joined the Charles Mingus Quintet and the Sam Rivers large ensemble.

In late 1972, Hamiet Bluiett joined Charles Mingus and toured Europe with him.

In January 1974, Hamiet Bluiett returned to Mingus and played in a quintet alongside George Adams, appearing on Mingus at Carnegie Hall.

Hamiet Bluiett continued to play with Mingus until Autumn 1974, when he left to make his own recordings as a leader.

Hamiet Bluiett has remained a champion of the somewhat unwieldy baritone saxophone, organizing large groups of baritone saxophones.

Since the 1990s Hamiet Bluiett led a quartet, the Hamiet Bluiett Baritone Nation, made up entirely of baritone saxophones, with drum set accompaniment.

Hamiet Bluiett worked with Babatunde Olatunji, Abdullah Ibrahim, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye.

Hamiet Bluiett returned to his hometown of Brooklyn, Illinois, in 2002 but moved back to New York City in 2012.

Hamiet Bluiett performed with students from Neighborhood Music School in New Haven, Connecticut.

Hamiet Bluiett died in St Louis, Missouri on October 4,2018, after a period of declining health.