John Gilmore

American Free Jazz tenor saxophonist.
Best known for having been one of the pillars of The Sun Ra Arkestra for four decades (from 50's to 90's), devoting himself entirely to the band's experimental music, with very few exceptions, and giving up a solo career. He also occasionally played bass clarinet and percussion.
Famously, John Coltrane was so impressed by his sound that he took informal lessons from Gilmore in the late 50s, despite Gilmore was 5 years younger than him.

Born: September 28, 1931 in Summit, Mississippi.
Dead: August 20, 1995 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.