Influences

Byas’s principal musical influences are identified, beginning with Coleman Hawkins, who was the first to develop a jazz style on the saxophone. Byas and Hawkins would perform and record together, and Byas would cite the older man as his principal influence, but in the end he came to be too closely identified with Hawkins, which motivated him to move to Europe to escape from Hawkins’ shadow. The influence of Art Tatum on Byas is described in detail, including their time playing together in Cleveland and New York. Three other possible influences are mentioned: Johnny Hodges and Ben Webster, both of whom developed a romantic style on their respective saxophone models (alto and tenor), and Benny Carter, whom Byas would cite as an influence.