§      Herman Riley, 73; master saxophonist

 Herman Riley, an unsung virtuoso of the reed instruments, died April 13 at Brotman Medical Center in Culver City, following heart failure.  He was 73.

   Not one to toot his own horn, Herman let his soaring solos do the talking.  Whenever the top tenors gathered to jam, Herman had them for lunch!  Justo Almario adds, “After hearing Herman one night, I rushed home to practice!”  Expressing both anxiety and endearment backstage, another popular player asked, “Can’t you juggle the lineup --- Why do I have to follow Herman?”  Riley was gracious yet daunting as his robust tone garnered the respect of fellow musicians and fans alike.   

     Whether he torched the bandstand, serenaded lovers at dimly lit tables or navigated charts in the studio, Herman Riley excelled in any setting.  A seasoned reedman who transcended boundaries, Riley explored a vast spectrum from Jazz and R&B, to musicals and motion picture scores. 

    This quiet, wind wizard mastered the tenor saxophone, b-flat and bass clarinets, the oboe, English horn and several flutes, displaying total command of his arsenal.  Herman weaved engaging, intricate tapestries while his poignant ballads gently caressed the listener.  

      A native of New Orleans, Riley was born on August 31, 1933.  He attended Landry High School where he majored in music.  Herman enrolled at Southern University in Baton Rouge, proudly high-stepping in its famed Jaguar Marching Band. 

   Following a two-year stint in the army, Riley migrated to California during the late fifties.  He performed with Jessie Belvin and Roy Milton.  Later, while living in New York, Herman played with Larry Gales, Junior Cook, Bruno Carr and Bill Hartman.  Mr. Riley’s distinct approach began to captivate audiences around the world.  In 1962, he was named Outstanding Solo Artist at the Monterey Jazz Festival.

     After studying privately with Kirk Bradford, Riley shared the bill with the likes of Art Hillary, George Morrow, Bobby Bryant, Phil Upchurch, Benny Carter, Count Basie, Louie Belson, Bill Holman, Ray Charles, Benny Powell, Oscar Brashear, Duke Pearson, Philly Joe Jones, Nelson Riddle, Oliver Nelson, Ray Brown, Gene Ammons, Grady Tate, Donald Byrd, Jerome Richardson, Blue Mitchell and Lionel Hampton.

     During Motown’s heyday, Herman played L.A.’s Five-Four Ballroom with legendary groups like Diana Ross & the Supremes, the Temptations, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles as well as Martha & the Vandellas.  Riley has also backed Juliet Prowse, Jimmy Durante, Dionne Warwick, Wayne Newton, Debbie Reynolds, Diane Carroll, Lorez Alexandria, Aretha Franklin, Ernie Andrews, Jack Carter and Nancy Sinatra.   

     Herman toured Japan with Quincy Jones and performed at the Concord Jazz Festival.  In 2003, he even journeyed to war-ravaged Israel.  While bombs and mortar shells exploded at his doorstep, Herman remained secluded in his hotel room.  Under severe duress, he bravely ventured out to the gig, igniting a few sparks of his own.   

      Mr. Riley is listed in Leonard Feather’s Encyclopedia of Jazz.  Pound for pound, he was a prolific titan of the tenor.  Away from the spotlight, Herman modestly lived The Life of Riley.  His dues are paid in full.  Mr. Riley is survived by his wife, Thelma; daughter, Sheenell Riley and grandson, Ethan Boone.

§        Jeffrey Winston

                             A native of Los Angeles, Mr. Winston is a jazz historian, producer and free-lance journalist.