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Moe Koffman Biography

moe-koffman
  • Born: December 28, 1928 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Years Active: 1950s-1970s
  • Genre: Jazz

Moe Koffman became famous for his 1957 hit recording of "Swinging Shepherd Blues," a catchy flute feature. Otherwise, throughout his career Koffman has been a popular soloist whose music ranges from cool-toned bop to jazz interpretations of more pop-ish material; his commercial successes have sometimes overshadowed his fine improvising talents. Although he has spent most of his life in Canada, Koffman did work with the bands of Sonny Dunham, Ralph Flanagan, Charlie Barnet, Tex Beneke, and Jimmy Dorsey in the U.S. during the first half of the 1950s. Later on, Koffman played at George's Spaghetti House in Toronto for over three decades (one week every month), worked extensively in the studios, and has been with Rob McConnell's Boss Brass since 1972. Few of Moe Koffman's records (the earlier sessions were cut for Jubilee and he made a pair for Duke Street in the mid-'80s) are available. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi

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