During his school years, George Young played with the Philadelphia Orchestra under the direction of Eugene Ormandy, and with Fred Waring. In the early 60’s in New York City, George Young became a top studio musician.

George began his recording career in Philadelphia, performing on Dave Appell’s productions for Cameo Parkway, which included hits with Bobby Rydell, Chubby Checker, DeeDee Sharp and the Dovells. He has recorded and concertized with Liza Minelli, Benny Goodman, Michel LeGrande, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Paul Simon, Al Cooper, Carly Simon, Luther Vandross, Ashford & Simpson. Louis Bellson, Harry Connick, Jr., Grover Washington, Jr., Eric Clapton and many more. He was a member of NBC’s Saturday Night Live Band for 6 years during which time he continued to record and perform.

In addition to playing music, including performing on thousands of radio and television commercials, George also enjoys composing original music in the form of pop tunes, classical music and jazz pieces. His passion for teaching and performing master classes brings him to various colleges throughout the world.

Young’s awards are numerous: He was voted Most Valuable Player by The National Acad­emy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) for five consecutive years. He then won the Virtuoso Award in 1987 (none higher!). The albums and discs recorded in Japan with The Manhattan Jazz Quintet, a group he helped found, have gone gold. Ire group, which originated in 1983, has recorded 23 albums and discs.

All along Young has also worked on his own albums and original compositions, some of which will soon be released from a live performance at Birdland. He started in the mid 50s with a 45 single called, “Hey Let’s Rock,” backed with “Later,” on the Jarmen label. His second single was recorded by Cameo-Parkway and was titled ‘Nine More Miles,” backed with "That’s Tough.” Then in the early 60s, leading “The George Young Revue” with his wild, wild playing in Wildwood, George was “The Veryest,” which soon became the title of one of his early albums on Chancellor Records. Columbia Records then signed him and produced two albums: “The Greatest Saxophone in the World” and “Gold and Satin.” Now his own exciting writing and playing can be heard on his latest albums: “Chant,” “Burgundy,” “Oleo, “Yesterday and Today,” “Spring Fewer,” “Old Times,” “Colours of Joy,” “The Joy and Labor of Love,” and “George Young Plays George Young.” George has played on countless records, TV and radio commercials, movie scores and jazz festivals.

2001

	Friday Night - September 19, 2008 / 6:30pm
	Garden Stage