Red Prysock (February 2, 1926 – July 19, 1993) was an American R&B tenor saxophonist, one of the early Coleman Hawkins-influenced saxophonists to move in the direction of rhythm and blues, rather than bebop.
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Wilbert “Red” Prysock was born in 1926 in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. He didn't actually blow a serious note on the tenor saxophone until he was in the Occupation Army in Germany, but soon starred in a GI band and upon his discharge he became a professional musician when he was discovered by Tiny Grimes. He played with the Grimes band on sessions for Atlantic and Gotham and staged a memorable sax battle with Benny Golson on "Battle of the Mass". He then joined Roy Milton for a very brief spell in 1950.
However it was Red’s spell with the Tiny Bradshaw band through 1951 and 1952 which really brought him to the attention of honk fans. He played on frantic numbers like “Bradshaw Boogie” and “The Train Kept A Rollin’” and in October 1952 he was playing lead on his own composition, the big instrumental hit “Soft”. While he was still with Bradshaw Red cut his first recordings as bandleader with the House Rockers in January 1952 on Bobby Robinson’s Red Robin label. He recorded one more session with Bradshaw before moving on (being replaced by Sil Austin) in early 1953 to the Cootie Williams orchestra. Red also backed up blues singer Lonnie Johnson for some sessions with King Records.
At this time brothers Red and Arthur both lived in Theresa Hotel in Harlem. As both were tall, handsome and well dressed, the women whistled at them when they walked down the street. Red owned a red Cadillac convertible which he used to drive up and down Seventh Avenue. He started out the 1954 new year with a weeklong date at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem along with the Four Tunes.
In March 1954 Red was leading his own band recording for Mercury. Soon his first release was issued with “Jump Red Jump” and “Body and Soul”, the time proven sax tune initiated years ago by Coleman Hawkins. The record was released in May to coincide with a long stay at Weeke’s Lounge in Atlantic City, New Jersey. “Jump” is picked up by many listeners, and even more listeners with “Blow Your Horn” and “Happy Feet” which is a popular jump instrumental.
Riding out the popularity of “Wiggles” which appealed to a lot of new listeners to the sound of R&B via the Moondog Freed show over WINS radio in New York. His muscular style was highly suited to the emerging rock and roll music and he became one of the primary first wave of rock ‘n’ roll heroes. Red and his combo did a tour of one nighters throughout the South with Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters. His music started to be Juke-Box favourites.
During the summer of 1955 Red and his band are on tour with Sarah Vaughn, The Cardinals, and Al hibler, in the Southern states. After a Freed show in September, Red joins Al Hibbler, LaVerne Baker and the El Dorados, at the Howard Theatre in D.C., the Earle in Philadelphia and the Royal in Baltimore. In October Mercury releases the blasting tune that will be Red Prysock’s signature song “Hand Clapping”.
Once his days as an R&B sax man was over, he spent many years beginning in the mid 1960’s fronting a small combo backing his brother on many club dates and even some television spots as Arthur Prysock gained popularity. Even though Red was a popular jukebox artist in the mid 50’s until the end of his career during the late 60’s, none of these singles got enough exposure to become national hits due to lack of promotional material. After 1964 Red recorded for Verve, King and Bethlehem before returning to Old Town for two sessions in 1977 and 1980. His final recording contract was with Milestone in 1985.
Red died of a heart attack on July 19, 1993 in Chicago, at the age of 67 and was buried at the Salisbury National Cemetery in North Carolina.
(Edited from Megaton Café Radio, Bear Family Record notes, Be Bop Wino, “Meet Me at the Theresa” by Sondre K. Wison & Wikipedia)