One of the bluesiest jazz and soul saxophonists, Hank Crawford, has died last Thursday. Crawford was the musical director in Ray Charles' band in the early 60s and played baritone saxophone on his big hit "What'd I Say". One sax player who was in the saxophone section at that time, David Fathead Newman, also died last month. (see JazzRiff 22.1). His remarkably bluesy, wailing playing was one of his trademarks which he learned from his stay in Charles' band. His almost preacher-like sound graced a lot of solo recordings after he left Ray Charles in 1963. From 1971 until 1982, Crawford recorded for the Jazz Fusion label Kudu Records which also was home to Grover Washington, Freddie Hubbard, George Benson, and more. During his stay there, he recorded unforgettable albums with tracks that have been sampled a million times. His 17 recordings he did for Milestone from 1982 until a stroke in 2000 all feature him as a top blues jazz saxophonist, arranger, and composer and this work ranks among his best in his lengthy career.