Great tenor saxophonist nicknamed the "little giant" because of his height and the fact that he could play with the best, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane and Art Blakey.
Taught, at Chicago's DuSable High School, by Captain Walter Dyett, whose pupils included Nat "King" Cole and Dinah Washington.
Married twice, one son: John IV, three daughters twins Ingrid and Joanna, Cynthia.