Pete Christlieb

Peter Christlieb (born February 16, 1945) is an American tenor saxophonist who plays in the styles of jazz bebop, West Coast jazz, hard bop and pop music.

Christlieb was born in Los Angeles, California, United States, the son of bassoonist Donald Orville Christlieb and Pearl Gold. Christlieb has worked with many musicians, such as Louie Bellson, Chet Baker, Woody Herman, Count Basie, Tom Waits, Steely Dan, Warne Marsh, Vince Guaraldi, Quincy Jones, Doc Severinsen, The Tonight Show Band, Bob Florence, Frank Mantooth, Gary Urwin, Phil Kelly, and Bill Holman.

Christlieb played the saxophone solo on Steely Dan's hit song "Deacon Blues" by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen from the album Aja, nominated for Album of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in the 20th annual Grammies.

"I went over to the studio one night after the Tonight Show finished taping at 6:30 p.m. When I listened on headphones to the track Tom [Scott] had arranged, there was just enough space for me to play a solo. As I listened, I realized Donald and Walter were using jazz chord changes, not the block chords of rock. This gave me a solid base for improvisation. They just told me to play what I felt. Hey, I’m a jazz musician, that’s what I do. So I listened again and recorded my first solo. We listened back and they said it was great. I recorded a second take and that’s the one they used. I was gone in a half-hour. The next thing I know I’m hearing myself in every airport bathroom in the world."

Christlieb also played on Natalie Cole's Grammy award-winning album Unforgettable; and the extended tenor sax solo on the song "FM (No Static at All)" from the movie of the same name.

Christlieb currently plays with his recently formed 11-piece group, the "Tall & Small Band"; the Bill Holman Orchestra; and his own quartet. Also, for years Christlieb has been involved in professional drag racing, with his cars participating in numerous races in the southwest and across the country. His team has won two national championships for the 'Blown Alcohol Dragster' class.

Christlieb played a jazz musician in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "His Way".

With Doc Severinsen