Andrew White
Andrew White (September 6, 1942 – November 11, 2020) was an American jazz and R&B multi-instrumentalist (saxophone, oboe and bass guitar), musicologist and publisher.
Also recorded as Andrew White (saxophonist) · Andrew Nathaniel White
Andrew White
Mminsker Marc Minsker · Marc Minsker's camera · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Name
- Andrew White
- Birth Name
- Andrew Nathaniel White III
- Born
- 6 September 1942
- Birthplace
- Washington, D.C., U.S.
- Died
- 11 November 2020
- Place of death
- Silver Spring, Maryland
- Occupation
- Songwriter, musician, artist, poet, lyricist, composer, record producer
- Nationality
- United States
- Fields
- jazz · hard bop · avant-garde music
- Education
- Conservatoire de Paris · Howard University
- Languages
- English
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Andrew White (September 6, 1942 – November 11, 2020) was an American jazz and R&B multi-instrumentalist (saxophone, oboe and bass guitar), musicologist and publisher.
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Documentary evidence
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Authority files
wikidata · Q508721 · wikipedia · Andrew White (saxophonist)
In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Andrew White • Birth Name — Andrew Nathaniel White III • Born — 6 September 1942 • Birthplace — Washington, D.C., U.S. • Died — 11 November 2020 • Place of death — Silver Spring, Maryland • Instrument — Saxophone, oboe, bass, piano • Genre — Hard Bop, jazz, avant-garde • Occupation — Songwriter, musician, artist, poet, lyricist, composer, record producer • Years Active — 1960–2020 • Label — Riverside Records, Andrew's Music
Biography
Biography
White was born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, completing his public school education there. He returned to Washington, D.C., in September 1960 to attend Howard University. He graduated in June 1964, cum laude, with a Bachelor of Music degree, majoring in music theory, and with a minor in oboe. After his four years at Howard University, he attended the Paris Conservatory of Music, in Paris, France, on a John Hay Whitney Foundation Fellowship for continued study of the oboe. As a saxophonist, White appeared on the jazz scene in September 1960, concurrent with his graduation from his studies at Howard University, when he appeared with Washington, D.C.'s J.F.K. Quintet (1961–63) which recorded two albums for the Riverside label. He later appeared with Kenny Clarke (1965), Otis Redding (1967), McCoy Tyner (1970), Elvin Jones (1980–81), Beaver Harris (1983), The Julius Hemphill Saxophone Sextet (1987), 'The Six Winds' a Dutch saxophone sextet (1999), and on his own Andrew White's ZORROSAX ALLSTARS, saxophone sextet (2002), and hundreds of personal solo appearances worldwide. These include solo performances at New York City’s Carnegie Hall (1974 and 1975), Lincoln Center (1990 and 1995), Town Hall (1975), The Kennedy Center, in Washington, D.C. (1970 through 2005), Paris, France’s Theatre du Chatelet (1980), La Vila (1995), and a 1994 solo tour of seven French cities. As composer, publisher, conductor and saxophone soloist, White was presented at the Mass Double Reed Orchestra of 300 Double Reed Instruments at the 32nd Annual Convention of the International Double Reed Society, in June 2003, at the University of North Carolina, at Greensboro, North Carolina. The ten-year career of White as oboist also included study at Tanglewood, Massachusetts, in the summers of 1963 and 1966, The Dartmouth Community Orchestra, at Dartmouth College, study and performance of contemporary music at The Center Of Creative And Performing Arts, at the State University of New York, at Buffalo, on two Rockefeller Foundation Fellowships, 1965–1967, and his final position as principal oboist with the American Ballet Theatre, from January 1968 through August 1970. As an electric bassist, White's most viable career spanned the decade 1966-1976. He was primarily the electric bassist with the singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder, from 1968 through August 1970, concurrent with his position as oboist with the American Ballet Theatre Orchestra. He was the principal electric bassist with the popular singing group The 5th Dimension, from 1970 through 1976. Among his most memorable recordings as an electric bassist is with Weather Report's album, Sweetnighter, recorded in January 1973, on Columbia Records. On May 14, 2006, White was the 2006 Gold Medal Honoree of the French Society of Arts, Sciences, and Letters, in Paris. He shares the award with past honorees including violinist-conductor Lord Yehudi Menuhin, trumpeter, Maurice André, composer Olivier Messiaen, and scientist-Nobel Prize laureate, Albert Schweitzer. White was the only American to receive this award for the year 2006.
Academic
Academic
As a musicologist, White published many musicological offerings through his music publishing firm, Andrew’s Music, including The Works of John Coltrane, Vols. 1 though 14: 701 transcriptions of John Coltrane’s Improvisations. Andrew White "thoroughly and meticulously transcribed, encyclopeiasized, catalogued, documented, and self-published the most significant linguistic contributor to the jazz language in the history of jazz, John Coltrane," wrote Peter Occiogrosso, in The Soho News, New York (May 15, 1975). White's book on the music of John Coltrane, Trane and Me (1981), was also published in this manner. On November 15, 2007, White was honored as a saxophonist by Howard University with the Benny Golson Master Award. He was presented in ceremony and concert, featuring the Howard University Jazz Ensemble (Fred Irby, Director), at Howard University’s Andrew Rankin Chapel.
Death
Death
White died on November 11, 2020, at an assisted-living facility in Silver Spring, Maryland.
As leader
As leader
• Title — Year — Series — Label — No. • Andrew Nathaniel White III — 1971 — Andrew's Music — AM-1 • Live at the New Thing in Washington D.C. — 1973 — Andrew's Music — AM-2 • Live in Bucharest — 1973 — Andrew's Music — AM-3 • Who Got de Funk? — 1973 — Andrew's Music — AM-4 • Passion Flower — 1974 — Andrew's Music — AM-5 • Songs for a French Lady — 1974 — Andrew's Music — AM-6 • Theme — 1974 — Andrew's Music — AM-7 • Live at the Foolery in Washington D.C. Vol. One — 1974 — Live at the Foolery — Andrew's Music — AM-8 • Live at the Foolery in Washington D.C. Vol. Two — 1974 — Live at the Foolery — Andrew's Music — AM-9 • Live at the Foolery in Washington D.C. Vol. Three — 1974 — Live at the Foolery — Andrew's Music — AM-10 • Live at the Foolery in Washington D.C. Vol. Four — 1974 — Live at the Foolery — Andrew's Music — AM-11 • Live at the Foolery in Washington D.C. Vol. Five — 1974 — Live at the Foolery — Andrew's Music — AM-12 • Live at the Foolery in Washington D.C. Vol. Six — 1974 — Live at the Foolery — Andrew's Music — AM-13 • Collage — 1975 — Andrew's Music — AM-14 • Marathon '75 Vol. 1 — 1975 — Marathon 1975 — Andrew's Music — AM-15 • Marathon '75 Vol. 2 — 1975 — Marathon 1975 — Andrew's Music — AM-16 • Marathon '75 Vol. 3 — 1975 — Marathon 1975 — Andrew's Music — AM-17 • Marathon '75 Vol. 4 — 1975 — Marathon 1975 — Andrew's Music — AM-18 • Marathon '75 Vol. 5 — 1975 — Marathon 1975 — Andrew's Music — AM-19 • Marathon '75 Vol. 6 — 1975 — Marathon 1975 — Andrew's Music — AM-20 • Marathon '75 Vol. 7 — 1975 — Marathon 1975 — Andrew's Music — AM-21 • Marathon '75 Vol. 8 — 1975 — Marathon 1975 — Andrew's Music — AM-22 • Marathon '75 Vol. 9 — 1975 — Marathon 1975 — Andrew's Music — AM-23 • Spotts, Maxine and Brown — 1976 — De Here We is Again — Andrew's Music — AM-24 • Countdown — 1976 — De Here We is Again — Andrew's Music — AM-25 • Red Top — 1976 — De Here We is Again — Andrew's Music — AM-26 • Trinkle, Trinkle — 1976 — De Here We is Again — Andrew's Music — AM-27 • Ebony Glaze — 1976 — De Here We is Again — Andrew's Music — AM-28 • Miss Ann — 1976 — De Here We is Again — Andrew's Music — AM-29 • Seven Giant Steps for Coltrane — 1976 — De Here We is Again — Andrew's Music — AM-30 • Live in New York Vol. One — 1977 — Loft Jazz — Andrew's Music — AM-31 • Live in New York Vol. Two — 1977 — Loft Jazz — Andrew's Music — AM-32 • Bionic Saxophone — 1978 — Loft Jazz — Andrew's Music — AM-33 • Saxophonitis — 1979 — Loft Jazz — Andrew's Music — AM-34 • The Coltrane Interviews Volume One — 1979 — The Coltrane Interviews — Andrew's Music — AM-35 • The Coltrane Interviews Volume Two — 1979 — The Coltrane Interviews — Andrew's Music — AM-36 • Fonk Update — 1979 — Weekend at the One Step — Andrew's Music — AM-37 • I Love Japan — 1979 — Weekend at the One Step — Andrew's Music — AM-38 • Have Band Will Travel — 1979 — Weekend at the One Step — Andrew's Music — AM-39 • Petite Suite Francaise — 1982 — Andrew's Music — AM-40 • Seven More Giant Steps For Coltrane — 1982 — Andrew's Music — AMC-41 • Profile — 1984 — Andrew's Music — AM-42 • Far Out Flatulence — 1988 — Andrew's Music — AMC-43 • Andrew's Easy Listening Music Cassette — 1989 — Andrew's Music — AMC-44 • Nouveau Fonk — 1999 — Gigtime 2000 — Andrew's Music — AMCD-45 • Andrew's Music Theme — 1999 — Gigtime 2000 — Andrew's Music — AMCD-46 • Everybody Loves the Sugar — 1999 — Gigtime 2000 — Andrew's Music — AMCD-47 • Keep on Dancin', Baby! — 1999 — Gigtime 2000 — Andrew's Music — AMCD-48 • Fat Backin’ Vol. 1 — 2016 — Fat Backin’ — Andrew's Music — AMCD-50 • Fat Backin’ Vol. 2 — 2016 — Fat Backin’ — Andrew's Music — AMCD-51 • Fat Backin’ Vol. 3 — 2016 — Fat Backin’ — Andrew's Music — AMCD-52 • Fat Backin’ Vol. 4 — 2016 — Fat Backin’ — Andrew's Music — AMCD-53 • Fat Backin’ Vol. 5 — 2016 — Fat Backin’ — Andrew's Music — AMCD-54 • Fat Backin’ Vol. 6 — 2016 — Fat Backin’ — Andrew's Music — AMCD-55 • Fat Backin’ Vol. 7 — 2016 — Fat Backin’ — Andrew's Music — AMCD-56 • Fat Backin’ Vol. 8 — 2016 — Fat Backin’ — Andrew's Music — AMCD-57 • 7 New York Bootlegs — 2015 — Andrew's Music — AMCD-58 • Saxophonitis/Bionic Saxophone — 2016 — Saxophonitis Wondersax — Andrew's Music — AMCD-59 • Passion Flower/Who Got De Funk — 2016 — Saxophonitis Wondersax — Andrew's Music — AMCD-60 • Fonk Update/Miss Ann — 2016 — Saxophonitis Wondersax — Andrew's Music — AMCD-61 • I Love Japan/Have Band Will Travel — 2016 — Saxophonitis Wondersax — Andrew's Music — AMCD-62 • Super Bonus Sampler — 2016 — Saxophonitis Wondersax — Andrew's Music — AMCD-63 • Giant Steps Live -- All Around The World — 2017 — Andrew's Music — AMCD-64 • Mothballs — 2019 — M M and M — Andrew's Music — AMCD-65 • Magical Genius — 2019 — M M and M — Andrew's Music — AMCD-66 • Bio-Me — 2019 — M M and M — Andrew's Music — AMCD-67 • Theme Fantasia — 2019 — Andrew's Music — AMCD-68 • Candid Cassettes Vol. 1 — 1983 — Andrew's Music — - • Candid Cassettes Vol. 2 — 1983 — Andrew's Music — -
As sideman
As sideman
With Julius Hemphill • Fat Man and the Hard Blues (Black Saint, 1991) • Five Chord Stud (Black Saint, 1994) • At Dr. King's Table (1997) • The Hard Blues (Clean Feed, 2004) With McCoy Tyner • Asante (Blue Note, 1974) • Cosmos (Blue Note, 1976) With Weather Report • I Sing the Body Electric (Columbia, 1972) • Sweetnighter (Columbia, 1973) • Forecast: Tomorrow (Columbia, 2006) With others • The 5th Dimension, Live!! (Bell, 1971) • Beaver Harris, Beaver Is My Name (Timeless, 1987) • Elvin Jones, Soul Train (Denon, 1980) • Lloyd McNeill, Washington Suite (ASHA, 1970) • Marion Williams, Standing Here Wondering Which Way to Go (Atlantic, 1971)

160418-N-HG258-074 WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 18, 2016) Captain Ken Collins, left, commanding officer of the U.S. Navy Band greets Jazz saxophonist Andrew White III, right, during a break in rehearsal with the Commodores jazz ensemble in preparation for their concert at Blues Alley in Georgetown. The concert, featuring the music of John Coltrane is part of a series of events celebrating jazz history
United States Navy Band from Washington, D.C., USA · Andrew White in rehearsal with the Commodores jazz ensemble

160418-N-HG258-028 WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 18, 2016) Jazz saxophonist Andrew White III, left, rehearses the Commodores jazz ensemble in preparation for their concert at Blues Alley in Georgetown. The concert, featuring the music of John Coltrane is part of a series of events celebrating jazz history month. (U. S. Navy photo by Chief Musician Stephen Hassay/released)
United States Navy Band from Washington, D.C., USA · Andrew White in rehearsal with the Commodores jazz ensemble
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
1942
Andrew White was born on 6 September 1942.
2020
Andrew White died at Washington, D.C..
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Andrew White (saxophonist)”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q508721: Andrew White
General reference · Wikidata
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Giovanni, Russonello. Andrew White, Virtuoso Saxophonist and Coltrane Scholar, Dies at 78. The New York Times. November 20, 2020.
- 2.Colin Larkin. The Guinness Who's Who of Jazz. Guinness Publishing. 426/7. 1992. 0-85112-580-8.
- 3.Andrew White | Biography & History. AllMusic.
- 4.West, Michael J. Andrew White, Prolific Multi-Instrumentalist, Scholar and Washington, D.C. Legend, Dies at 78. wbgo.com. 13 November 2020.
References
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References
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Further particulars
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Andrew White is recorded as saxophonist, bassist, composer, oboist and jazz musician.
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 18 August 2026.
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