Lucky Thompson

Eli  Thompson (June 16, 1924 – July 30, 2005)

Jazz Tenor and Soprano Saxophonist, Lucky Thompson, is credited with using the Soprano Saxophone years before John Coltrane. He raised his siblings after his mother died and had to practice is fingering technique on a broom handle until he could acquire a Saxophone. He was active in the Swing era and also the Bebop era, working with many (Lionel Hampton, Charlie Parker, Count Basie and others). He lived in Paris for a while, but became homeless in the 1990's after returning to the US. He died in 2005. Please take a listen here and enjoy your weekend: Accent on Tenor Sax and The plain but the simple truth

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucky_Thompson

Background information
Birth name	Eli Thompson
Born	June 16, 1924 Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
Origin	Detroit, Michigan
Died	July 30, 2005 (aged 81) Seattle, Washington
Genres	Jazz
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone
Years active	1942–1970s
Associated acts	Lionel Hampton, Don Redman,Billy Eckstine, Lucky Millinder,Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie,Charlie Parker