Tenor/Soprano Saxophone, Composer, Playwright (b. 1937)

Born Archie Vernon Shepp on 24 May 1937 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Archie Shepp is a tenor and soprano saxophonist, composer, playwright, and educator recognised as one of the most influential avant-garde musicians of the 1960s.

Moving to New York City, Shepp played with Cecil Taylor's quartet from 1960 to 1962. His first recording as leader came in 1962 with the Archie Shepp-Bill Dixon Quartet. In 1963, he formed the New York Contemporary Five with Don Cherry and John Tchicai. John Coltrane's admiration led to Impulse! Records, beginning with Four for Trane (1964). He formulated a style with gruff tone, wide vibrato, and eruptions of screams and multiphonics, influenced by Coltrane and Ben Webster. Named 2016 NEA Jazz Master.