Joe Lovano

Joseph Salvatore Lovano (born 29 December 1952 in Cleveland, Ohio) is a jazz saxophonist and clarinet player. Since the 1970s, Lovano has been one of the world's premiere tenor saxophone players, earning a Grammy award and several nod

Joseph Salvatore Lovano (born 29 December 1952 in Cleveland, Ohio) is a jazz saxophonist and clarinet player. Since the 1970s, Lovano has been one of the world's premiere tenor saxophone players, earning a Grammy award and several nods on Down Beat magazine's critics' and readers' polls.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Lovano was exposed throughout his early life to jazz by his father. Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, and Sonny Stitt were among his earlier influences. He developed further at Berklee College of Music, and then served a big band apprenticeship with Woody Herman's Thundering Herd and the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra.