Zodiac by Cecil Payne

Originally recorded in 1968 but not released until 1973, Zodiac by baritone saxophonist Cecil Payne was issued as the third volume in Charles Tolliver and Stanley Cowell’s Strata-East label’s Dolphy Series. Dedicated to the memory of Wynton Kelly and Kenny Dorham, the album was produced by Clifford Jordan and features Wilbur Ware (bass) and Albert “Tootie” Heath (drums). A bold effort from an in-demand sideman, Zodiac is now remastered directly from the original master tapes and is available digitally for the first time.

Cecil Payne (December 14, 1922 – November 27, 2007) was an American jazz baritone saxophonist born in Brooklyn, New York. Payne also played the alto saxophone and flute. He played with other prominent jazz musicians, in particular Dizzy Gillespie and Randy Weston, in addition to his solo work as bandleader.