Born: April 2, 1948 | Died: March 3, 1991 Primary Instrument: Saxophone
Sal Nistico, born Salvatore Nistico 2 April 1938 in Syracuse (New York), died 3 March 1991 in Berne, Switzerland, was a jazz tenor saxophonist associated for many years in the mid-'60s with Woody Herman's Herd.
He started playing alto sax, switching to tenor in 1956 and briefly played baritone sax. In 1965, he joined Count Basie but returned on many occasions to play with Herman. He also played with Nat Adderley, Don Ellis, Stan Tracey, Chuck Mangione and Buddy Rich.
While not a well-known public figure, he was highly respected by his fellow tenor sax players as a “musicians' musician”. Sal's solo work contrasts his big band work. The solo work is more bebop oriented, as heard on the Heavyweights recordings.
