He was a saxophonist born Laurdine Patrick who was a member of the Sun Ra Arkestra from 1956 for over forty years where he played several reed instruments, saxophones and electric bass.
He was a performer on the John Coltrane Africa/Brass sessions as well as appearing with other artists including Thelonius Monk’s Quartet, Duke Ellington and Mongo Santamaria on his hit “Watermelon Man” which was written by Herbie Mann.
As a co-writer he collaborated with Rodgers Grant on the extremely successful hit “Yeh Yeh” that was first performed by Mongo Santamaria before having lyrics added by Jon Hendricks and being brought to fame and hitting chart success for Georgie Fame and the Blue Notes.
He left his wife and children in Chicago in order to work in New York , and his son, Deval, has become the first ever African-American elected governor of Massachusetts and the second in United States history taking office in January 2007.
Matt Bianco Recordings
Yeh Yeh (Rodgers Grant/Pat Patrick/Jon Hendricks)
Sources:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Patrick
- www.devradowrite.com/?cat=12
- www.ethnomusic.ucla.edu/staff/martinelli/CosmicMyth.htm