Hank Mobley
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Henry (Hank) Mobley (July 7, 1930 - May 30, 1986) was an American hard bop and soul jazz tenor saxophonist.
Mobley was born in Eastman, Georgia. He was an original member of the Jazz Messengers, then joined Horace Silver's group when Silver left the Messengers. During the 1960s he worked chiefly as a leader, although he spent a brief time with Miles Davis. Though criticized by some for not having the improvisational fire of his predecessor in the group, John Coltrane, Mobley was still a major voice on tenor saxophone. Known for his melodic playing, Mobley was forced to retire in the mid-1970s due to lung problems.
He is best known for his 25 albums on Blue Note Records, including Soul Station and Roll Call, recorded between 1955 and 1970, on which he performed with many of the most important hard bop players.