PETE CHRISTLIEB

16 February 1945, Los Angeles, California, USA. Formally educated in music as a violinist, Christlieb then began playing tenor saxophone in his early teenage years. In his late teens he became a professional musician working with big bands and small groups under the leadership of Si Zentner, Jerry Grey, Woody Herman and others. In 1967 he became a regular member of Louie Bellson’s big band, an association which lasted for the next two decades. During this period Christlieb worked with many other leaders, among them Doc Severinsen, whose Tonight Show band included many of the best musicians on the west coast, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Bill Berry, Mel Lewis and Bob Florence. He also played in small groups at clubs and for recording sessions, most notably in a band he co-led with Warne Marsh whose Apogee was well received. He regularly led his own quartet, which included Mike Melvoin, Jim Hughart and Nick Ceroli. A technically proficient player, Christlieb has a zestful, attacking style which makes his playing on up-tempo numbers particularly exciting, while his ballads always have an undercurrent of urgency.