New Orleans jazz pioneer Turbinton dies – Times-Picayune – NOLA.com
Earl Turbinton died this past week. Earl was a saxophonist whose personal style covered many spaces, from hard swinging bop lines, to soulful bluesy sounds, to some pretty out stuff. He was very active in New Orleans in the late 80’s, when I had just moved to town, and was soaking up lots of live music. I loved hearing Earl, and as I reflect on it now, I realize it was because he could (and did) go so many different places musically. It’s odd how sometimes we only realize how influential a musician was on our own concept much later than the original point of influence. At the time, Earl was very encouraging to us young guys. May he rest in peace, and be long remembered.