Sil Austin: The Honking Saxophonist
Sylvester Austin (September 17, 1929 – September 1, 2001) was an American jazz saxophonist. He achieved his greatest commercial success playing pop and rock-and-roll tunes rather than straight jazz, with hits like “Slow Walk” reaching the Top 40 charts.
Early Life and Education
Austin was born in Dunnellon, Florida. He taught himself to play saxophone at age 12. In 1945, at 16, he won the Ted Mack Amateur Hour in St. Petersburg, Florida, performing “Danny Boy”—a song that would become his signature tune. The victory led to a recording contract with Mercury Records, and he relocated to New York, where he studied briefly at the Juilliard School of Music.
Career and Achievements
Austin’s professional work began in the late 1940s. He played with Roy Eldridge briefly in 1949, then worked with Cootie Williams from 1951 to 1952 and with Tiny Bradshaw from 1952 to 1954. After these collaborations, he established his own touring group, which became commercially successful.
Over his time with Mercury Records, Austin recorded more than 30 albums and produced multiple Top 40 hits. Beyond “Danny Boy,” his chart successes included “Slow Walk,” which peaked at Number 17, and “My Mother’s Eyes.” Austin described his approach to author Wayne Jancik, explaining that he played what audiences wanted: “Exciting horn, honking horn, gutbucket horn is what kids wanted to hear, so I made sure I played more of that. They called it rock ‘n’ roll. And the records sold.” Despite his commercial success, Austin cited Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, and Sonny Stitt as his major influences.
After leaving Mercury in the 1960s, Austin recorded with other labels, including SSS Records, owned by Shelby Singleton. He also made recordings in Japan during the 1970s.
Notable Events and Milestones
Austin’s 1945 Amateur Hour victory in St. Petersburg marked the beginning of his professional career. His 1957 album “Slow Walk Rock” and the single “Slow Walk” represented the peak of his chart success. The release of “Everything’s Shakin'” that same year further solidified his reputation as a commercial artist. In 1959, he recorded “Battle Royal” with saxophonist Red Prysock for Mercury.
Additional Resources
Readers seeking more detailed information about Sil Austin’s life and career can consult Wikipedia and other biographical archives. His extensive discography with Mercury Records and other labels provides a comprehensive record of his prolific recording output across three decades.
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