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Oliver Sain

 


Oliver Sain | St. Louis Riverfront Times/Copyright Control | tc835

Saxophonist, song writer, band leader, drummer and record producer Oliver Sain Jr. was born in Dundee, Mississippi on 1 March 1932. As a child he played trumpet and drums. In 1949 he moved to Greenville, Mississippi to become drummer in Sonny Boy Williamson’s band, but quickly found the same position in Howlin’ Wolf’s band. He was drafted into the US Army and served in the Korean war. On discharge he took up saxophone and joined Little Milton’s band. In 1955 he moved to Chicago, rejoining Howlin’ Wolf’s band and becoming a regular at Chess. He recruited Fontella Bass as a pianist for Little Milton’s band, then discovered she could sing. He then installed Fontella Bass and Bobby McClure as lead singers in his Soul Revue. Bass was replaced by Barbara Carr. In 1965 he established the Archway studio in St. Louis, recording acts such as The Montclairs. Mr Sain died in St. Louis on 28 October, 2003 from bladder and bone cancer.

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