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Biography:
The Johnny Griffin classic “Chicago Calling”
can also be considered a reference to the suburbs of the
Windy
City
. Skokie, IL native, John Temmerman, influences include tenor
titans like Chicago’s Eddie Harris, Dexter Gordon, John
Coltrane, Wayne Shorter and multi-instrumentalist Rahsaan Roland
Kirk. His third recording “Live
in Evanston – John’s Mixed
Bag captures his band in live quartet and quintet
performances from 2007 and 2008.
Temmerman’s interest in jazz was piqued as
a teenager; he plays tenor, soprano and alto saxophone and
clarinet. After years spent earning an advanced degree,
establishing a family with his wife Tina and their son Joe and
developing his professional business career, he was drawn back
into the music world in the early 1990’s, started a trio in 1995
and began performing live.
With his solid, no-nonsense straight ahead
approach to music it’s no surprise that he’s inspired by the
legends -- and a few unsung heroes as well. He cites the Miles
Davis classic Kind of Blue as a major inspiration, but you
can immediately hear the influence of the great Long Tall Dexter
in his performances. “When I hear the Dexter Gordon album Go
and the song ‘Three O’Clock In The Morning, that’s what
a tenor saxophone is supposed to sound like. Dexter had a big tone
and less is more approach”.
You’re as liable to see Temmerman playing
soprano in Chapel on Wednesday morning with the Gospel Choir at
the
Evangelical
Lutheran
Church
in
America
’s
Lutheran
Center
as on the bandstand of a jazz club. “Playing with the Lutheran
Center Gospel Choir is a joy. I enjoy interpreting hymns. ‘Just
A Closer Walk With Thee’ (featured on Mixed Bag) is an
example. For me, the purpose of music is to glorify God. God gave
me a need to perform and teach music. I went along with that, even
though I denied it for a while. “ He is firmly grounded in his
family, his faith and unapologetically places both above music.
“I have my wife, who suffers from FSH Dystrophy to care
for and have to be closer to home than some musicians.”
Chicago has a strong and legendary tenor
tradition, from the “Little Giant” Johnny Griffin, Gene
“Jug” Ammons, Von & Chico Freeman to Clifford Jordan and
numerous unsung talents. Thanks to the airplay and recognition
Temmerman has gained with each successive recording, his talent is
no longer a well-kept secret of the
Windy
City
.
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