Home » Jazz Musicians » Odean Pope

Odean Pope

Odean Pope was born in Ninety-Six, South Carolina to musical parents who rooted him in the sounds of the Southern Baptist Church. After moving to Philadelphia at the age of ten, his lifelong study of music began in earnest and was buttressed by The Graniff School of Music and Benjamin Franklin High School's music program.

Odean grew up in jazz rich territory with other Philadelphia notables such as: John Coltrane, Lee Morgan, Clifford Brown, Benny Golson, McCoy Tyner, Jimmy and Percy Heath, Ray Bryant, Bill Barron, Kenny Barron, Archie Shepp, Jymie Merritt, Jimmy Garrison, Philly Joe Jones and Dizzy Gillespie. Coltrane chose Odean to replace him in Jimmy Smith's Group when he left for New York to join Miles Davis. Although he was close to Coltrane and continues to revere his artistry, Odean was always searching for his own musical sound. This led him to study with Ron Rubin, the principal woodwind player in the Philadelphia Orchestra. At a later time he studied at The Paris Conservatory for Music under Kenny Clarke. It was there that he received his Certificate in Orchestration, Modern harmony, African rhythms, Be-Bop Art Forms and Arrangement. He studied with the pianist, Ray Bryant, bassist, Jymie Merritt and was significantly influenced by the brilliant, if not eccentric pianist, Hasaan Ibn Ali. Odean adds, "Then being able to study with Max (Roach) from '79 up until '02, was like going to one of the highest institutions in the whole world."

Integrating several musical influences including the church choir of his youth, Philadelphia jazz and R&B of the 50's and classical woodwind chamber music, led Odean in the early 70's to help form Catalyst, a collective of musicians and music representing his new aesthetic. A two-CD set was reissued in 1999 on 32 Records as: "Catalyst: The Funkiest Band You Never Heard." It was music ahead of its time. In 1979, Odean joined the Max Roach Quartet as a regular member for more than two decades. It was as the tenor man with Max Roach that Odean perfected the techniques of circular breathing and multiphonics, both allowing him to stretch his solo improvisations from dazzling elevations to the throbbing, husky sounds for which he is so well known, to all kinds of delicacy in getting from one to the other. Odean won acclaim from Australia to Japan, even winning "Best Tenor Saxophone Player" at the North Sea Jazz Festival.

Odean works with his trio, (Lee Smith, Craig McIver) quartet and saxophone choir. The saxophone choir is formatted with nine saxophones, and was established by Odean in 1977 and premiered in 1985 with a Soul Note album called "The Saxophone Shop." The saxophone choir has been the realization of his southern legacy; a medium for creating the richly textured harmonic sound that has permeated his musical soul since childhood. Even though he plays clarinet, oboe, piccolo, flute and piano, Odean feels an affinity for the tenor saxophone because it most closely mimics the human voice. He constructs layers of melodic sound by playing within the fourth system in different tone scales using multiphonics, achieving several pitches together, for which he is well known. The choir reaches a stunning intensity that is simultaneously one voice and is also, as described by Francis Davis, "harmonically engorged."

Read more

Tags

12
Album Review

Hasaan Ibn Ali: Metaphysics: The Lost Atlantic Album

Read "Metaphysics: The Lost Atlantic Album" reviewed by Doug Collette


It has been years since the woefully unsung pianist Hasaan Ibn Ali recorded Metaphysics and, while its circuitous route to release is worth more than a little note, that story seems to have taken precedence over insight into and observation of the music itself. In keeping with its customarily astute archival approach, the Omnivore curating team included extensive liner notes by associate producer Lewis Porter, as well as co-producer Alan Sukoenig, both of which pieces maintain the focus on the ...

26
Album Review

Hasaan Ibn Ali: Metaphysics: The Lost Atlantic Album

Read "Metaphysics: The Lost Atlantic Album" reviewed by Karl Ackermann


The hard bop, Philadelphia pianist Hasaan Ibn Ali had a short, troubled life. On what was believed his only recording, The Max Roach Trio Featuring the Legendary Hasaan (Atlantic, 1965), the drummer placed Ali's full image front and center, his name in a larger font on the LP cover. Within the Philadelphia jazz community, he was well-known and considered uniquely talented, if unpredictable. He practiced with John Coltrane and saxophonist Odean Pope is among those who credit Ali with inspiring ...

2
Live Review

Odean Pope "Harp" Quartet at Chris’ Jazz Café

Read "Odean Pope "Harp" Quartet at Chris’ Jazz Café" reviewed by Victor L. Schermer


Odean Pope Quartet: Harp, Violin, and Two Saxophones Chris' Jazz Café Philadelphia, PA April 27, 2019 Time honored saxophonist Odean Pope has always been creative with fresh musical ideas. Who knew that this time he would field an unusual ensemble of harp, violin, and two saxophones without a rhythm section? Indeed, curiosity is what brought this reviewer to the show. First of all, this was not crossover (jazz/classical) music ...

10
Live Review

Odean Pope Quartet at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Read "Odean Pope Quartet at the Philadelphia Museum of Art" reviewed by Victor L. Schermer


Odean Pope Quartet “Friday Nights" Music Series Philadelphia Museum of Art Philadelphia, PA January 11, 2019 The great tenor saxophonist Odean Pope came up in Philadelphia and still calls it home. He obtained his sea legs together with pianist Ray Bryant, John Coltrane and other young woodshedding musicians in Germantown and around the city way back in the 1950s when they were developing the new hard bop approach. And he ...

3
Live Review

Odean Pope Quartet at Chris’ Jazz Café

Read "Odean Pope Quartet at Chris’ Jazz Café" reviewed by Victor L. Schermer


Odean Pope Quartet Chris' Jazz Café Philadephia, PA August 4, 2018 Saxophonist Odean Pope is a living legend who has been blowing strong for sixty years, early on including John Coltrane among his Philadelphia cohorts and serving Max Roach as a charter member of the latter's groups. So when he gets on stage, you expect something special. In this set at Chris' Jazz Café, you got it. Since each ...

7
Live From Philadelphia

Sittin' In with the Odean Pope Trio at the Kimmel Center

Read "Sittin' In with the Odean Pope Trio at the Kimmel Center" reviewed by Geno Thackara


Odean Pope TrioSEI Innovation Studio @ The Kimmel Centerjny: Philadelphia, PAApril 12, 2017 The Kimmel Center's informal Sittin' In program is always about direct connections and communion, but April's exceptional event raised the bar up to the ceiling. Not everyone was even able to sit since the basement theater was packed enough to require some standing along the walls. The enthusiastic crowd came out to acknowledge Jazz Appreciation Month, to honor some local icons and ...

5
Live Review

Odean Pope Quartet at Chris’ Jazz Cafe

Read "Odean Pope Quartet at Chris’ Jazz Cafe" reviewed by Victor L. Schermer


Odean Pope Quartet Chris' Jazz Café Philadelphia, PA July 19, 2014 Legendary tenor saxophonist Odean Pope, in addition to his international status and iconic recordings, often appears in Philadelphia, his home town, but usually in festivals, concerts, and other situations where he is part of a bigger mix. His one evening show at Chris' Jazz Café gave listeners a special opportunity to hear him in an intimate setting where they could really attend to ...

Read more articles

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Odean Pope

Jazz Musician of the Day: Odean Pope

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Odean Pope's birthday today!

Odean Pope was born in Ninety-Six, South Carolina to musical parents who rooted him in the sounds of the Southern Baptist Church. After moving to Philadelphia at the age of ten, his lifelong study of music began in earnest and was buttressed by The Graniff School of Music and Benjamin Franklin High School's music program. Odean grew up in jazz rich territory with other Philadelphia notables such as: John Coltrane, Lee ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Odean Pope

Jazz Musician of the Day: Odean Pope

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Odean Pope's birthday today!

Odean Pope was born in Ninety-Six, South Carolina to musical parents who rooted him in the sounds of the Southern Baptist Church. After moving to Philadelphia at the age of ten, his lifelong study of music began in earnest and was buttressed by The Graniff School of Music and Benjamin Franklin High School's music program. Odean grew up in jazz rich territory with other Philadelphia notables such as: John Coltrane, Lee ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Odean Pope

Jazz Musician of the Day: Odean Pope

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Odean Pope's birthday today!

Odean Pope was born in Ninety-Six, South Carolina to musical parents who rooted him in the sounds of the Southern Baptist Church. After moving to Philadelphia at the age of ten, his lifelong study of music began in earnest and was buttressed by The Graniff School of Music and Benjamin Franklin High School's music program. Odean grew up in jazz rich territory with other Philadelphia notables such as: John Coltrane, Lee ...

1

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Odean Pope

Jazz Musician of the Day: Odean Pope

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Odean Pope's birthday today!

Odean Pope was born in Ninety-Six, South Carolina to musical parents who rooted him in the sounds of the Southern Baptist Church. After moving to Philadelphia at the age of ten, his lifelong study of music began in earnest and was buttressed by The Graniff School of Music and Benjamin Franklin High School\'s music program. Odean grew up in jazz rich territory with other Philadelphia notables such as: John Coltrane, Lee ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Odean Pope

Jazz Musician of the Day: Odean Pope

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Odean Pope's birthday today!

Odean Pope was born in Ninety-Six, South Carolina to musical parents who rooted him in the sounds of the Southern Baptist Church. After moving to Philadelphia at the age of ten, his lifelong study of music began in earnest and was buttressed by The Graniff School of Music and Benjamin Franklin High School\'s music program. Odean grew up in jazz rich territory with other Philadelphia notables such as: John Coltrane, Lee ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Odean Pope

Jazz Musician of the Day: Odean Pope

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Odean Pope's birthday today!

Odean Pope was born in Ninety-Six, South Carolina to musical parents who rooted him in the sounds of the Southern Baptist Church. After moving to Philadelphia at the age of ten, his lifelong study of music began in earnest and was buttressed by The Graniff School of Music and Benjamin Franklin High School\'s music program. Odean grew up in jazz rich territory with other Philadelphia notables such as: John Coltrane, Lee ...

1

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Odean Pope

Jazz Musician of the Day: Odean Pope

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Odean Pope's birthday today!

Odean Pope was born in Ninety-Six, South Carolina to musical parents who rooted him in the sounds of the Southern Baptist Church. After moving to Philadelphia at the age of ten, his lifelong study of music began in earnest and was buttressed by The Graniff School of Music and Benjamin Franklin High School\'s music program. Odean grew up in jazz rich territory with other Philadelphia notables such as: John Coltrane, Lee ...

1

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Odean Pope

Jazz Musician of the Day: Odean Pope

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Odean Pope's birthday today! Odean Pope was born in Ninety-Six, South Carolina to musical parents who rooted him in the sounds of the Southern Baptist Church. After moving to Philadelphia at the age of ten, his lifelong study of music began in earnest and was buttressed by The Graniff School of Music and Benjamin Franklin High School\'s music program. Odean grew up in jazz rich territory with other Philadelphia notables such as: John Coltrane, Lee ...

2

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Odean Pope

Jazz Musician of the Day: Odean Pope

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Odean Pope's birthday today! Odean Pope was born in Ninety-Six, South Carolina to musical parents who rooted him in the sounds of the Southern Baptist Church. After moving to Philadelphia at the age of ten, his lifelong study of music began in earnest and was buttressed by The Graniff School of Music and Benjamin Franklin High School\'s music program. Odean grew up in jazz rich territory with other Philadelphia notables such as: John Coltrane, Lee ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Odean Pope

Jazz Musician of the Day: Odean Pope

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Odean Pope's birthday today!

Odean Pope was born in Ninety-Six, South Carolina to musical parents who rooted him in the sounds of the Southern Baptist Church. After moving to Philadelphia at the age of ten, his lifelong study of music began in earnest and was buttressed by The Graniff School of Music and Benjamin Franklin High School\'s music program. Odean grew up in jazz rich territory with other Philadelphia notables such as: John Coltrane, Lee ...

"Odean Pope is a bad, bad, bad, beautiful musician, man." - Joe Lovano

"The music (on the Ponderer) is dense but luxuriant, and it moves quickly. Thoroughly propulsive." -Jim Macnie, Boston Phoenix

"Odean Pope's Saxophone Choir hit the groove." -John Diliberto, Down Beat

"The Ponderer wallops you, then surprises you with its subtlety before you can recover." -Village Voice

"Max Roach's longtime saxman Odean Popes Philly proud saxophone ensemble was one of the most explosive units of the 1994 Montreal Jazz Festival." -Willard Jenkins, Jazz-Times

"Tenor man Odean Pope builds a richly arranged environment deserving of the choral moniker on Epitome, the Choir's third CD for Soul Note. An elegant feel is established right away. Pope's own deep, throaty tenor is the horn highlight." -John Corbett, Down Beat

Read more

Photos

Music

Videos

Similar

Ornette Coleman
saxophone, alto
Joe Lovano
saxophone
Archie Shepp
saxophone, soprano
Greg Osby
saxophone
Steve Lacy
saxophone, soprano
Pharoah Sanders
saxophone, tenor
David Murray
saxophone, tenor
Sam Rivers
saxophone, tenor
Sonny Sharrock
guitar, electric
Ravi Coltrane
saxophone, tenor
Eric Kloss
woodwinds

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.