Jed Levy

Saxophonist Jed Levy has been a mainstay on the New York jazz scene for over 40 years. In addition to performing and recording as a leader, he has had long-standing working relationships with such jazz luminaries as Jaki Byard (a musical mentor, three recordings and countless performances), Don Patterson, Jack McDuff (valuable road experience), Ron McClure (two CDs and ongoing performances), and Headhunters drummer Mike Clark (two CDs and new projects in the works.)  

Levy has also been fortunate to have worked with Junior Mance, Eddie Henderson, Jack Walrath, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Shirley Scott, Kevin Mahogany, Gene Bertoncini, Don Friedman, Cedar Walton, Curtis Fuller, Chico O’Farrill, Attilla Zollar, Groove Holmes, Tom Harrell, and many others. 

Levy has not only toured Europe, Japan, and China as a leader and appeared at several international jazz festivals, but led bands at such New York venues as Birdland, Smalls, The Django, Sweet Basil, Blue Note, Visiones, and Zinno. His quartet was chosen by Jazz at Lincoln Center to tour for the U.S. Department of State, resulting in a five-week tour of South and Central America.

Diversity has been the key to Levy’s success on the New York scene. A recent week found him moving from a concert with the Cab Calloway Orchestra to a night with Mike Clark and Charley Hunter at the Knitting Factory, to the Apollo Theater with the Temptations and the Four Tops, to Birdland with Chico O’Farrill’s Afro Cuban Orchestra.

In his presentations as a leader, as well as in his compositions, Levy tries to incorporate these varied musical experiences. His compositions have been recorded by such artists as the Headhunters, Don Friedman, Eddie Henderson, and Mike Clark.

Currently, Levy is focused on working as a leader with his quartet and a group that he co-leads with UK guitarist Phil Robson, which tours Europe regularly.  His latest CD, FACES AND PLACES, his 11^th as a leader, comes out April 25, 2025.