16 Facts About Mickey Fields

Wilfred "Mickey" Fields was a Baltimore-area jazz saxophonist, a local legend who refused to play outside the Baltimore area, although he was asked to leave Baltimore many times to go on the road with many famous bands.

Mickey Fields is recognized as one of Baltimore's most well-known jazz saxophonists and was a mentor to many other jazz musicians, including Paul H Brown.

Mickey Fields was known for his constant encouragement of young artists.

Mickey Fields was born in 1932 to James and Etta Mickey Fields, in Towson, Maryland and was one of seven children.

At an early age, Mickey Fields realized that he was naturally musically gifted.

Mickey Fields had "perfect pitch" and was a self-taught musician, playing just about every instrument he could get his hands on.

When Mickey Fields found it in the closet, he knew that was the instrument for him.

Mickey Fields began his career with the jump blues band The Tilters.

Mickey Fields later recorded an album with the great Richard "Groove" Holmes, recorded at the Left Bank.

Mickey Fields performed with his very talented sister, Shirley Mickey Fields, who was the lead singer for many years and a big fixture in the jazz society in Baltimore.

In 1956, Mickey Fields married Constance Wozniak and had two children, Michael and Jacqueline.

Mickey Fields continued to perform for his fans until he became very ill from kidney disease in October, 1994.

Mickey Fields died at 62 on January 16,1995 at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, the city he loved.

Mickey Fields's funeral was known as one of the largest funerals ever held for a local musician.

Mickey Fields is survived by his widow Constance Fields, son Michael Fields, daughter Jacqueline Fields, granddaughter Danielle Fields and great-grandson Christopher Fields.

Mickey Fields was later inducted into the Great Blacks in Wax Museum in Baltimore, Maryland as one of the greatest jazz saxophonists ever known.