Nick Brignola

by Scott Yanow
A strong baritone soloist in the tradition of Pepper Adams, Nick Brignola was long overshadowed by Adams and Gerry Mulligan, but actually ranked near the top. He occasionally doubled on other instruments (soprano, alto, and flute). After studying at Ithaca College and Berklee, he played and recorded with Reese Markewich in the late '50s, Herb Pomeroy, Cal Tjader, and the Mastersounds. Brignola worked with Woody Herman's orchestra (1963), Sal Salvador, and Ted Curson (1967), but was generally a leader of his own small groups. For a time he played fusion in the early '70s, but afterwards played mostly performed hard bop. He produced some of his best work in the '90s, even as his health began to decline. Among the many labels Nick Brignola recorded for are Priam (his own company), Beehive, Interplay, SeaBreeze, Discovery, and Reservoir. He died on February 8, 2002.