Old Guard saxophonists pair up at Murphy s

10/19/2006

Two veteran Ohio saxophonists will make a rare appearance together tomorrow in an "Old Guard Night" at Murphy's Place.

Buddy Sullivan, a former Toledoan now living in Cleveland, will team with Jack Walter, who has come back strong from a stroke in 2002, with Clifford Murphy on bass, Claude Black on piano, and Bob White on drums.

Sullivan played in an Army Air Corps Band during World War II, then graduated from the University of Toledo and worked as an accountant. But he continued to play sax on weekends and evenings and was a charter member of the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra.

He has performed with such stars as Sammy Davis, Jr., Tony Bennett, and Peggy Lee.

Walter, a native of Port Clinton who grew up in Toledo, has been playing the saxophone since he was 9. He lived in New York City in the 1950s when 52nd Street was the center of the jazz world and became close friends with saxophonist Pepper Adams. He and Black worked together in Toledo with the Tony Celeste Band.

"The Old Guard Night" at Murphy's Place, 151 Water St., will feature two sets, at 8 and 10 p.m. Tickets are $10, $15, and $20. Information: 419-241-7732.