Tenor sax. Resourceful, blues-tinged tenor saxophonist John Erskine Boyd, was born in Boston in 1936. He studied at the South End Music School, the Boston Conservatory and the Berklee School of Music. His interest in jazz naturally enough led him to New York City, and he arrived in 1958 to continue his studies and to listen and learn first-hand. Before long he was working with men like Tony Scott, Philly Joe Jones, Johnny Griffin and Pete LaRoca. He played his first feature date at The Five Spot, and replaced Stanley Turrentine in the Max Roach Quintet.

Rocky Boyd plays with drive and feeling, and his flawless, diamond-hard tone and beautifully controlled style are reminiscent of first-rate tenor men like Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane.

His impressive debut album "Ease It" was mistakenly credited to Kenny Dorham when it was reissued. also included pianist Walter Bishop Jr., bassist Ron Carter and drummer Pete LaRoca and was outstanding early '60s hard bop date.