Lynn Hope

Lynn Hope, also known as El Hajj Abdullah Rasheed Ahmad, (September 26, 1926 - February 24, 1993) was an American Jazz and Blues tenor saxophonist. Hope was noted for his instrumental remakes of established pre-rock pop anthems.Hope joined King Kolax's band when he graduated from high school in Birmingham during the '40s.After converting to Islam, he became noted for wearing a turban or fez. Hope signed with Miracle Records in 1950, but the contract proved invalid.He moved to Premium Records, where he recorded "Tenderly," a song that was later picked up by Chess Records.Hope recorded often for Aladdin Records between 1951 and 1957, doing such reworked standards as "September Song" and "Summertime."While these numbers were often performed with little or no melodic embellishment or improvisation, the flip sides were often fierce up tempo blues or jump tunes."Tenderly" earned Hope his only hit in 1950, reaching number eight on the Rhythm and blues charts and number 19 on the Pop music charts. Hope recorded his last sessions for King in 1960, then dropped out of sight.[Artist Biography by Ron Wynn]