Elvira "Vi" Redd is an American jazz alto saxophone player, vocalist and educator.
Background
Redd is the daughter of New Orleans jazz drummer and Clef Club co-founder Alton Redd and Mattie Redd (née Thomas). She was born in Los Los Angeles She was deeply influenced during her formative years by her father, who was one of the leading figures on the Central Avenue jazz scene.
Education
California State University, Los Los Angeles University of Southern California.
Career
She has been active since the early 1950s and is known primarily for playing in the bebop, hard bop and post-bop styles. After working for the Board of Education from 1957 to 1960, Redd returned to jazz. During this time, Redd also worked with Max Roach.
While active, she toured as far as Japan, London (including an unprecedented 10 weeks at Ronnie Scott"s), Sweden, Spain and Paris.
In 1969, she settled in Los Angeles where she played locally while also working as an educator. She led albums for United Artists (1962) and Atco (1962-1963).
Her 1963 album Lady Soul features many prominent jazz figures of the day, including Bill Perkins, Jennell Hawkins, Barney Kessel, Leroy Vinnegar, Leroy Harrison, Dick Hyman, Paul Griffin, Bucky Pizzarelli, Ben Tucker and Dave Bailey. The liner notes are by Leonard Feather.
Redd graduated from California State University, Los Angeles, and earned a teaching certificate from University of Southern California.
She taught and lectured for many years from the "70s onward upon returning to Los Los Angeles She served on the music advisory panel of the National Endowment for the Arts in the late 1970s.