Joe Brazil


Joseph Brazil was an American jazz saxophonist and educator. Local musicians and touring acts performed in his basement. He taught jazz at Garfield High School, co-founded the Black Music curriculum at the University of Washington, and founded the Black Academy of Music in Seattle. He appeared on the albums Om by John Coltrane and Ubiquity by Roy Ayers.

Biography

Detroit (1927–1961)

Joseph Brazil was born August 25, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan. In 1951 he purchased a home in Detroit where he lived with his brother and mother. He built a bar in the basement and installed a baby grand piano. Jam sessions took place in his basement, with musicians such as trumpeter Donald Byrd, saxophonists Sonny Red and Brazil, pianist Barry Harris, bassist Doug Watkins, and drummer Frank Gant. Tapes of saxophonist John Coltrane practicing were made at his house. A tape of a jam session was recorded in his basement on September 25, 1958 with trumpeter Donald Towns, saxophonists Coltrane, Joe Henderson, Brazil, Red, pianist Hugh Lawson, bassist Ernie Farrow, and drummer Roy Brooks. Euphonium player Kiane Zawadi and saxophonist Kenneth Winfrey lived down the street and often played at his house. Coltrane met drummer George Goldsmith in his basement and once asked Goldsmith to substitute for drummer Elvin Jones. Pianist Alice Coltrane met her first husband John Coltrane in his basement.

Seattle (1961–2008)

Brazil moved to Seattle to work as a tool maker at Boeing in 1961. In 1965 performed with John Coltrane at the Penthouse and recorded on flute with Coltrane in Lynnwood, Washington. The album was released as Om by Impulse! Records.
He taught at Garfield High School's Magnet Program with bassist Chuck Metcalf in 1968. He established the Black Academy of Music in 1967 with guitarist George Hurst. The faculty included trumpeter Floyd Standifer, saxophonist Jabo Ward, and bassist Milt Garred. The Black Student Union demanded that he be hired by the University of Washington School of Music. He taught at the University of Washington from 1969 to 1976 but was denied tenure.