Claire Daly (Ep. 39): The Soul of the Baritone Sax
Executive Summary
Claire Anne Daly (1958 - 2024) was an acclaimed baritone saxophonist, composer, and educator known for her robust, soulful sound and musical versatility. A graduate of the Berklee College of Music, she built an influential career that included being an original member of the DIVA Jazz Orchestra, collaborating with legends like Aretha Franklin, and leading her own bands on critically successful albums such as *Swing Low* and the chart-topping *Baritone Monk*. As a highly decorated musician and three-time "Baritone Sax of the Year" by the Jazz Journalists Association, she was also a deeply committed educator, teaching for two decades at the Litchfield Jazz Camp and other prestigious institutions. Daly passed away at age 66 from head and neck cancer, leaving a powerful legacy of inventive playing and unwavering dedication to the jazz community.
Keywords: Claire Daly, Baritone Saxophone, Jazz, Saxophonist, Composer, Educator, DIVA Jazz Orchestra, Women in Jazz, Jazz Education, Soulful Jazz, Baritone Monk, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Thelonious Monk, Berklee College of aMusic, Litchfield Jazz Camp, Jazz Journalists Association, DownBeat Magazine, Saxophone Podcast, Music History
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Claire Anne Daly (1958 - 2024)
├── Overview
│ ├── Roles: Baritone Saxophonist, Composer, Educator
│ └── Known For: Robust, soulful sound & versatility
│
├── Early Life & Education
│ ├── Born: Bronxville, NY; Raised in Scarsdale
│ ├── Musical Start: Age 12 (Inspired by Buddy Rich)
│ ├── Education: Berklee College of Music (Grad. 1980)
│ └── Instrument: Switched to Baritone in NYC (1985)
│
├── Career Highlights
│ ├── Collaborations
│ │ ├── DIVA Jazz Orchestra (Original member, 7 years)
│ │ └── Side Musician With: Aretha Franklin, James Brown, etc.
│ ├── Bandleader Work
│ │ ├── Swing Low (1999) - In Clinton Presidential Center
│ │ ├── Rah! Rah! (2008) - Rahsaan Roland Kirk Tribute
│ │ ├── The Mary Joyce Project (2011)
│ │ └── Baritone Monk (2012) - #1 on CMJ Charts
│ └── Playing Style
│ └── Described as: Soulful, thoughtful; akin to Dexter Gordon
│
├── Awards & Education
│ ├── Awards
│ │ ├── Jazz Journalists Assoc. "Baritone Sax of the Year" (3x)
│ │ └── DownBeat & JazzTimes Poll Winner
│ └── Educator
│ ├── Litchfield Jazz Camp (20 years)
│ └── Taught at: Jazz at Lincoln Center, MIT, UMASS, etc.
│
├── Death & Legacy
│ ├── Died: Oct 22, 2024 (Age 66) in Longmont, CO
│ ├── Cause: Head and Neck Cancer
│ └── Legacy: Powerful playing & dedication to the jazz community
│
└── Selected Discography (As Leader)
├── Swing Low (1999)
├── Movin' On (2002)
├── Heaven Help Us All (2004)
├── Baritone Monk (2012)
├── 2648 West Grand Boulevard (2016)
├── Rah! Rah! (2020 reissue)
└── VuVu for Frances (2023)
```