Moe Koffman was a Canadian jazz musician, composer, arranger, and booking agent. He played flute, soprano, alto and tenor saxophones and clarinet. His recording of "Swinging Shepherd Blues" was a hit in the United States, reaching #38 on the Billboard pop chart. Its enduring popularity helped establish his reputation and public recognition for decades to come. Here, Moe Koffman plays his Swingin' Shepherd Blues with the Guido Basso Orchestra:
But his underlying talent and technical prowess were the key building blocks in his stellar career in recording and performance. A member of the Order of Canada (1993) and Canadian Music Hall of Fame (1997), he recorded in every imaginable genre and performed with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Peter Appleyard and Rob McConnell's Boss Brass. His own Moe Koffman Quintet was a regular attraction on the Toronto jazz scene, featuring some of Canada's finest musicians.
