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Al Sears

Albert Omega Sears (February 21, 1910 – March 23, 1990) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and bandleader, sometimes credited as Big Al Sears.

Sears was born in Macomb, Illinois, United States. His first major gig came in 1928 when he replaced Johnny Hodges in Chick Webb's ensemble. Following this he played with Elmer Snowden (1931–32), then led his own groups between 1933 and 1941. In the early 1940s he was with Andy Kirk (1941–42) and Lionel Hampton (1943-44) before he became a member of Duke Ellington's Orchestra in 1944, replacing Ben Webster. He remained with Ellington until 1949, when first Jimmy Forrest and then Paul Gonsalves took over his chair. He played with Johnny Hodges in 1951–52 and recorded the tune "Castle Rock" with him; the tune became a hit but was released under Hodges's name.

Sears was in Alan Freed's band when Freed did live shows, being introduced as "Big Al Sears." He played as a studio musician on R&B albums in the 1950s and recorded two albums for Swingville in 1960. He also owned several record labels, including Arock, Serock, and Gator.

In 1990, he died in St. Albans, New York, at the age of 80.

Birth and Death Data: Born February 22, 1910 (Macomb), Died March 23, 1990 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1929 - 1957

Roles Represented in DAHR: tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone, saxophone

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 51-75 of 89 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 71826 10-in. 3/2/1944 Chop chop Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 71827 10-in. 3/2/1944 Flying home No.2 Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 71828 10-in. 3/2/1944 Hamp's boogie woogie Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 75610 12/19/1949 125th Street New York Al Sears ; The Sparrows instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 75611 12/19/1949 Shake hands Al Sears ; The Sparrows instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 75612 12/19/1949 Tan skin lad Al Sears ; The Sparrows instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 75613 12/19/1949 Brown baby Al Sears ; The Sparrows instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 87814 4/22/1955 Come and dance with me Al Sears and his Rock 'n' Rollers instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 87815 4/22/1955 come a-runnin' Al Sears and his Rock 'n' Rollers instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 87816 4/22/1955 Tom, Dick 'n Harry (Instrumental) Al Sears and his Rock 'n' Rollers instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 87817 4/22/1955 Tina's canteen (Instrumental) Al Sears and his Rock 'n' Rollers instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 89964 5/16/1956 Camel rock Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 89965 5/16/1956 Up and down Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 89966 5/16/1956 Take one Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 89967 5/16/1956 The grey bear Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 100343 7/27/1956 Homesick blues Eddie Fontaine instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 100344 7/27/1956 Into each life some rain must fall Eddie Fontaine instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 100345 7/27/1956 Cool it baby Eddie Fontaine instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 101657 2/14/1957 John Thompson Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 101658 2/14/1957 Sure Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 101659 2/14/1957 Swell Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 101660 2/14/1957 Easy rock Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 101666 2/15/1957 Sentimental journey Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 101667 2/15/1957 Stop, look and run Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 101668 2/15/1957 Twenty one Alan Freed Rock 'n' Roll Band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
(Results 51-75 of 89 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Sears, Al," accessed November 5, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/109665.

Sears, Al. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/109665.

"Sears, Al." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 5 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/109665

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