Gianni Bedori (25 November 1930 – 21 January 2005), also known as Johnny Sax, was an Italian
jazzsaxophonist,
clarinetist,
flautist and composer.
Career
Born in
Mantua, Bedori graduated in clarinet at the
Conservatorio Giovanni Battista Martini in
Bologna and started his career with singer
Enzo Amadori [
it].[1][2] He became first known in 1963, when he started a twenty years-long collaboration with composer
Giorgio Gaslini.[1] In 1973 his sax solo suite "Dedicated to Picasso" received much critical acclaim.[1][2] In the 1970s he achieved significant commercial success with a series of
easy listening jazz albums he released under the pseudonym Johnny Sax.[1][2]
His composition "Jesus' Last Ballad" was recorded by pianist
Bill Evans on Evans' album Affinity (1979).
Bedori also collaborated with such arrangers as
Augusto Martelli and
Pino Presti and appeared on several of singer
Mina's recordings. He also played with Italian experimental musician
Franco Battiato[3] and was a guest on his 1974 album Clic released on the
Island Records label.[4]
Discography
Albums
1969 – Johnny Sax incontro con Bob Mitchell (PDU)
1971 – Sortilege (Sun Records, SUld 13004)
1973 – International hits collection – Vol. I (PDU, Pld.A 5055)
1973 – International hits collection – Vol. II (PDU, Pld.M 5086)
1973 – Hit parade – Vol. I (Produttori Associati, PAF/LP/3005)
1973 – Successi sempreverdi – Vol. II (Produttori Associati, PAF/LP/3006)
1973 – Liscio parade – Vol. III (Produttori Associati, PAF/LP/3007)
1974 – Johnny Sax – Vol. IV (Produttori Associati, PAF/LP/3009)
1974 – Dedicated to Picasso – A solo Album (PDU, Pld.A 5074)
1975 – Johnny Sax – Vol. V (Produttori Associati, PAF/LP/3014)
1976 – Non stop 1 (Produttori Associati, SAX/1715)
1976 – Sax in motion (Produttori Associat, 6.22.627)
1977 – The Man (Atlantic, T 50402) – As Gianni Bedori
1978 – 7 – Soft Sound (Ariston, ARM/42001)
1982 – Senza... Paoli (Wep, ZNLW 33197)
1983 – Lo strumento della voce umana (Wep, ZNLW 33343)
1987 – Le canzoni d'amore di Gino Paoli (Replay music, RMCD 4121)
2004 – Controtempo (Splasc(h))
Singles
1969 - Hi-Heel Sneakers/Eleonore (Sun Records, SU 10076)
1971 - Processione/Alone again (PDU, P.A. 1080)
1971 - The morning after/Ultimo tango a Parigi (PDU, P.A. 1088)
1974 - Snoopy/Senza Lei (Produttori Associati, PA/NP/3230)