1. Julius Arthur Hemphill was a jazz composer and saxophone player.
10 Facts About Julius Hemphill
1. 2.
Julius Hemphill performed mainly on alto saxophone, less often on soprano and tenor saxophones and flute.
3.
Julius Hemphill joined the United States Army in 1964, and served for several years in the United States Army Band.
4.
Julius Hemphill later performed with Ike Turner for a brief period.
5.
Julius Hemphill moved to New York City in the mid-1970s, and was active in the then-thriving free jazz community.
6.
Julius Hemphill gave saxophone lessons to a number of musicians, including David Sanborn and Tim Berne.
7.
Julius Hemphill was probably best known as the founder of the World Saxophone Quartet, a group he formed in 1976, after collaborating with Anthony Braxton in several saxophone-only ensembles.
8.
Julius Hemphill left the World Saxophone Quartet in the early 1990s, and formed a saxophone quintet.
9.
Julius Hemphill recorded over twenty albums as a leader, about ten records with the World Saxophone Quartet and recorded or performed with Bjork, Bill Frisell, Anthony Braxton and others.
10.
Late in his life, ill-health forced Julius Hemphill to stop playing saxophone, but he continued writing music until his death in New York City.