Tony Coe Biography

Tony Coe began his professional clarinet and saxophone playing career with Humphrey Lyttelton’s band. Later he was offered a place in the Basie Band saxophone section of Count Basie.

Noted for his versatility, Tony has played with prolific musicians; including Sir Johnny Dankworth, The Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland Big Band, Derek Bailey’s Company, Stan Tracey, Michael Gibbs, Stand Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, Bob Brookmeyer and performed under Pierre Boulez as well as leading a series of groups of his own, including Coe Oxley & Co, together with drummer Tony Oxley.

Tony can be heard on many recordings, including Superman II, Leaving Las Vegas, The Loss of Sexual Innocence, and possibly the most notable of all, Tony plays the tenor sax solo in Henry Mancini’s infamous Pink Panther music.

Among the awards of a dazzling career Tony became the first non-American to receive the Jazzpar Price in 1995.