American Jazz tenor saxophonist.
Born September 28, 1931 in Summit, Mississippi.
Died August 20, 1995 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Best known for having been one of the pillars of
The Sun Ra Arkestra for four decades (from the 1950's to 1990's), devoting himself to the band's experimental music, with only a few exceptions, and restricting his career elsewhere. He also occasionally played bass clarinet and percussion.
John Coltrane was so impressed by his sound that he took informal lessons from Gilmore in the late 50s, although Gilmore was 5 years younger than himself.