Sal Nistico

Sal Nistico's explosive tenor solos with <a href="spotify:artist:2KSxJY1WxGGVYSmoM0N54P">Woody Herman</a> in the mid-'60s helped make that edition of Herman's Herd into a success. Originally an altoist, Nistico switched to tenor in 1956 and played with R&B bands for three years. He gigged with and made his recording debut in 1959-1960 with <a href="spotify:artist:3crWvsBmXTH0TIIQ9ndEFX">the Jazz Brothers</a>, a band also including Chuck and <a href="spotify:artist:0mQU7aLi35kTXGf2WjKM35">Gap Mangione</a>. But it was while with <a href="spotify:artist:2KSxJY1WxGGVYSmoM0N54P">Herman</a> in 1962-1965 that Nistico made history. In 1965, he spent five months with <a href="spotify:artist:2jFZlvIea42ZvcCw4OeEdA">Count Basie</a>. He returned to <a href="spotify:artist:2jFZlvIea42ZvcCw4OeEdA">Basie</a> in 1967 and to <a href="spotify:artist:2KSxJY1WxGGVYSmoM0N54P">Herman</a> on several occasions (1968-1970, 1971, 1981-1982), although without the impact of the first stint. Otherwise, the tenor freelanced throughout his career, playing with <a href="spotify:artist:6sPeUcMcOc2n0M7m1qHAer">Don Ellis</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:1pVtwG5Up1OZOEpSHJ4AAs">Buddy Rich</a> but mostly working with pick-up groups. Nistico recorded for several labels as a leader including Riverside, Red, and Beehive. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi