Vi Redd had a sensuality but it was all through the integrity of her music whether singing or playing her alto sax. She got her early musical exposure at home through her drummer Dad whim she respected and adored. It was her Aunt who was sort of a musical Renaissance Woman who taught Vi about so many different aspects of music, like making sure the instrumentalist knows the lyrics of a song so that they can really express themselves ( in her case...on sax) when soloing. She is still with us at 93 and a half. She is a gracious, classy lady.
Oh, just a quick addendum to what I wrote. Vi's Aunt whom I mentioned, was her "Great" Aunt (her Dad's Aunt) Alma Hightower. Ms. Hightower taught some people who would go on to become legendary jazz performers. She was especially a tremendous mentor to her great niece... the wonderful Vi Redd.
Deeply grateful to have discovered this very talented musician and saxophonist, that my broth' sent to me and shared with me this morning 👏 👍👌✌👏🌹🌿 🎼💝💜🎷💜💝🎼
I had a chance to see Vi Redd fronting a little quartet, back in the day. Love Basie and his golden touch, but Vi could bring it all on her own. In the late '60s, I went with cousin Barbara Campbell to a fund-raiser house party for the Black Panther Party [!?!?] because we heard that there would be this saxophone player, Vi Redd, performing there. She was, and she did. Jesus Christ Almighty, she did! Vi was there in a skin-tight red jumpsuit, with her bad-ass alto for her ax. She chopped the house down! I was transfixed. It was mostly blues, and people danced their asses off. Cousin Barbara was the baddest white chick on the dance floor. And Vi Redd, tough blues shouter with amazing Gulf-Coast style saxophoning, but on alto rather than tenor, and with those fine avian flurries of Charlie Yardbird Parker! Jesus, take me to Heaven right now!
