Joe Maini

Joe Maini (February 8, 1930 - May 7, 1964) was an American jazz alto saxophonist.

Maini played early on in the big bands of Alvino Rey, Johnny Bothwell, and Claude Thornhill (1951). Soon after this he moved to Los Angeles, where he worked frequently as a studio musician. He continued working in big bands, playing in those of Terry Gibbs, Gerald Wilson, Bill Holman, Louis Bellson, and Shelly Manne; he also did work with Lenny Bruce. He recorded with Clifford Brown and Max Roach (1954), Zoot Sims (1956), Jack Sheldon, Red Mitchell, Lin Halliday, Kenny Drew, and Jimmy Knepper.

Maini died at age 34 while playing Russian roulette.

44 years after his death Lonehill, in early 2008, issued a 4 CD set with his small group recordings.

References

*Scott Yanow, [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:0iftxqlgld6e~T1 Joe Maini] at Allmusic