Al Sears

American jazz saxophonist (tenor and baritone) and bandleader. Born : February 21, 1910 in Macomb, Illinois. Died : March 23, 1990 in New York City, New York. Brother of sax player Marion Sears. His first important professional engagement found Al Sears in [a294491]'s orchestra (1928) replacing Johnny Hodges. Following that he played with [a669268] (1931-32) and between 1933 and 1941 Sears was the leader of his own groups. He then united with Andy Kirk's orchestra (1941-42) and with [a136133] (1943-44). In 1944 he replaced [a257115] in Duke Ellington's orchestra where Sears became one of its greatest soloists. Sears left Duke in 1949 and was replaced by Paul Gonsalves. Sears then played with Johnny Hodges (1951-52) and then enjoyed a long career as leader of his own bands, playing Jazz, R&B and Rock & Roll. He died in 1990.