Warren Bell, Sr. - New Orleans jazz saxophonist

[Louisiana Lou]

Funeral Arrangements Set For Jazz Pioneer

TheNewOrleansChannel.com
3:57 p.m. CST November 24, 2006
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15880978/

NEW ORLEANS - Funeral services are scheduled for Monday for a New
Orleans jazz pioneer. Warren Bell Sr. died Nov. 22 from complications
while undergoing kidney dialysis.

He was considered one of the city's best saxophonists in the 1950s and
'60s, and his career spanned six decades.

Visitation for Bell will begin at 10 a.m. at St. Leo the Great Catholic
Church, with a Mass beginning at noon.

Fellow musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments to the
service for a final musical tribute.

[Louisiana Lou]

Bell, New Orleans saxophonist, dies
11/25/2006, 5:22 p.m. CT
The Associated Press
http://www.nola.com/newsflash/louisiana/index.ssf?/base/news-28/1164497353229290.xml&storylist=louisiana

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Warren A. Bell Sr., a saxophonist who toured with
Dave Bartholomew's big band and played with other musical greats, has
died. He was 77.

Bell died Nov. 22 from complications while undergoing kidney dialysis
treatment, his son, Warren Bell Jr., said. Funeral services are planned
for Monday.

Bell played alto saxophone for the original Dooky Chase band and later
toured with Bartholomew's band in the 1950s and 1960s, his son said.

"He came up in the era of bebop cool jazz, and he and his buddies who
grew up in the Treme area were all cool cats," his son said on Saturday.
"He was possessed with this quiet, cool confidence."

Bell was born in the Creole neighborhood of Treme next to the French
Quarter in 1929 and he was one of the first black musicians to be
invited to play with all-white bands in New Orleans, his son said.

During his 60-year career he performed as a back-up musician for Cab
Calloway, Nancy Wilson and Ray Charles, his son said.

He is survived by his wife and six of their seven children.