* En anglais uniquement
Although few realize it, most people have heard Al Klink's tenor literally hundreds of times; he can be heard trading off with fellow tenor
Tex Beneke on the famous version of Glenn Miller's "In The Mood!"
Klink, a much better jazz improviser than
Beneke, unfortunately never received any real fame.
Klink was with Miller's Orchestra during its main years (1939-42) but was rarely featured. After
Miller went into the military,
Klink worked with
Benny Goodman and
Tommy Dorsey. He became a studio musician when the swing era ended and was little heard from in jazz circles other than his playing with
the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra during 1952-53.
Klink re-emerged in 1974 when he became an occasional member of the World's Greatest Jazz Band. He had opportunities to record with
Glenn Zottola and
George Masso in the late 1970's for the Famous Door label and was active until retiring to Florida in the mid-1980's. Al Klink's only record date as a leader resulted in six titles for a 1955 Grand Award album that he shared with
Bob Alexander. ~ Scott Yanow