New York-based saxophonist Vincent Herring is one of the most sought-after players in jazz. Over the past four decades he has appeared on hundreds of albums as a sideman, recorded more than 20 of his own, and played with greats Freddie Hubbard, Horace Silver, Nat Adderley, Cedar Walton, Jack DeJohnette and many more.
Although Herring was born in Kentucky and has spent most of his career in New York, he has Northern California roots. After his parents divorced, his mother moved with young Vincent from Kentucky to Vallejo.
"That's where I started playing saxophone and started playing music," explains Herring. "At some point, I went to Cal State Chico, and that got me out of Vallejo, and then from there I went to New York."
Getting to New York was one thing. Making it in the Big Apple was another. Herring attended Long Island University and briefly worked for a software company. But it was on the streets where he developed the most as a musician, playing in street bands that were everywhere in the city during the 1980's. He says it wasn't uncommon for resident jazz legends to drop by and listen from time to time.
"After work I would sit in with these bands, you know, because they were playing jazz with some good players. One time, [trumpeter] Woody Shaw sat in with us. Dexter Gordon [saxophonist and Academy Award nominee] used to stand in front of the band all the time and listen to us. Eddie Harris [pioneer of the electrified saxophone]. I was passing the hat and he put some money and I said, thank you, Mr. Harris. And he said, you don't know me. I was like, Eddie Harris!"
Another jazz legend impressed by Herring was composer and pianist Horace Silver, who heard him playing a blues on the alto saxophone. Silver liked Herring's playing a lot and said he would hire him for his band if only he played tenor sax and not just alto. "I play tenor," Herring quickly responded. He got the job. But after a short stint in the band, Herring felt he wasn’t musically prepared for Silver’s more challenging tunes.
There would, however, be a silver lining.
"That really made me aware of how much I needed to study and develop myself as a player. And the first time I worked with [composer and pianist] Cedar Walton was right around that same time. We did a week at the Village Vanguard and afterwards Cedar said 'well, man, you sound very promising. But not ready yet.' That was his exact words to me. And I was doing a lot of reflection at that time and I knew he was right and he said, 'but I will call you again one day.' And it was about two years later that he called me and I was ready. And I lasted in Cedar Walton's band for 21 years."
As a leader himself, Herring has assembled a number of different bands over the years. His latest all-star group is called Something Else, which specializes in groove-oriented material.
"This is a project that's really dear to my heart," says Herring of the band. "You know, I grew up on pure straight-ahead jazz, your Art Blakeys, Dizzy Gillespies. But I also listened to a lot of soul and players that would later be classified as funky, you know, like your Cannonball Adderleys... just music with a feeling."
Herring says he's looking forward to touring Europe later this month with Something Else. He's also looking forward to performing with the Sac State Faculty Jazz Ensemble as part of the Festival of New American Music. The program will consist of several of Vincent Herring's compositions, newly arranged by faculty member Greg Johnson for the nine-piece ensemble plus Herring.
"I'll be probably more thrilled than anyone to hear their interpretations of the works, and we'll get together and we'll make the magic happen."
Vincent Herring joins the Sac State Faculty Jazz Ensemble in concert at 7 p.m. on Monday, November 3, 2025 in Capistrano Hall on the Sac State campus. Admission is free as part of this year's Festival of New American Music.
