Ernie Fields Jr. (July 29, 1934 – March 8, 2024) was an American baritone saxophonist and session musician.
Son of notable musician Ernie Fields, he worked with blues, soul and funk artists including B. B. King, Bobby Bland, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Rick James, and Marvin Gaye.
Fields graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1951 and then attended Howard University, playing with his father's band during breaks. In the 1990s he began touring with trombonist Fred Wesley, playing bagpipes as well as saxophone.
Fields wrote the score for the 1978 film Disco Godfather.
On the April 6, 2010 episode of American Idol, Fields played the didgeridoo during Crystal Bowersox's performance of the Lennon and McCartney composition "Come Together".
Ernie Fields Jr. was music contractor for American Idol, The Voice, and X Factor.
Fields lived in Pasadena, California. He died in his sleep on March 8, 2024, at the age of 89.
Discography 1978: Here, My Dear – Marvin Gaye 1978: Ride a Wild Horse - Motown Special Disco Version Single – Ernie Fields Jr. 1979: Wild and Peaceful – Teena Marie 1995: Conversation Peace – Stevie Wonder 2008: One Kind Favor – B. B. King 2013Made in CaliforniaThe Beach BoysSaxophone2012Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. B.B. KingB.B. KingSax (Baritone)2011A Woman Falling Out of LoveAretha FranklinContractor2010American Idol: Season 9Music Contractor, Flute, Saxophone2010Mainstream Straight-AheadStix HooperSax (Baritone)2009American Idol Season 8Woodwind2009You Fooled Me/Prime TimeGrey & HanksSaxophone2008One Kind FavorB.B. KingSax (Baritone)2007The Heat of the BluesAlbert KingMain Personnel, Flute, Saxophone2006It's Never Too LateMarla GibbsWoodwind, Contractor2006Milestone ProfilesJimmy SmithSax (Baritone)2005A Time to LoveStevie WonderContractor2005Genius & FriendsRay CharlesContractor2005Ma VéritéJohnny HallydayProduction Executive2005Shelter in the RainStevie WonderContractor2004Reflections OfLamont DozierProduction Arrangement2003PortraitPaul CaciaSaxophone2003The Opening ActPaul CaciaSaxophone2003Wuda Cuda ShudaFred WesleyFlute, Bagpipes, Sax (Alto), Sax (Tenor), Horn Arrangements, Group Member, Composer2002An American OriginalLamont DozierProduction Arrangement2001FoureverThe Four TopsSaxophone2001The Cosmic StorytellerUnicornSaxophone2000Live from the Nation's CapitalBuddy ColletteWoodwind1998VH1 Divas LiveSaxophone, Contractor, Music Contractor1997A Dramatic Christmas: The Very Best Christmas Of AllThe DramaticsSax (Tenor)1997Teen Beat, Vol. 4Performer1997The Very Best of Diane SchuurDiane SchuurSaxophone1996Groovy, Vol. 1: A Collection of Rare Jazzy Club TracksSaxophone1996Surrender to JonathanJonathan RichmanHorn1995Conversation PeaceStevie WonderSax (Tenor)1995Jamie/Guyden StoryPerformer1995The Master 1961-1984Marvin GayeSax (Alto)1994The Best of ParletParletHorn1993CachéKirk WhalumSax (Baritone)1993Get the FeelingTwo Tons o' FunHorn1993Miki Sings Billie: A Tribute to Billie HolidayMiki HowardContractor1993Reggae Ambassadors: 20th Anniversary CollectionThird WorldSax (Alto), Sax (Baritone)1993Sum Serious BluesJimmy SmithSax (Baritone)1993The Best of Third WorldThird WorldSax (Alto), Sax (Baritone)1993The Ultimate CollectionAlbert KingSaxophone1992WorthyRodney FriendHorn1991Atlantic Blues [Box]Sax (Tenor)1991Burnin'Patti LaBelleSaxophone1991Pure SchuurDiane SchuurSaxophone1990Dingo [Motion Picture Soundtrack]Miles Davis / Michel LegrandMusic Consultant1989Higher GroundVernessa MitchellString Contractor, Horn Conductor1987Katt WalkKathy MathisHorn1986Atlantic Blues: VocalistsSax (Tenor)1985More than MusicPhil & Brenda NicholasContractor1984Ladies & the BabiesFrankie LeeSax (Tenor)1983All the Way StrongThird WorldSax (Alto), Sax (Baritone)1983On the LineMichael WycoffString Contractor1982Love ChangesO.C. SmithSaxophone1981Swing Street CafeJoe Sample / David T. WalkerMain Personnel, Horn1981This Kind of Lovin'The WhispersSaxophone1980ArethaAretha FranklinHorn Arrangements1980Night SongAhmad JamalSax (Baritone)197?On Our WayTeegarden & VanWinkleHorn1979Bustin' Out of L SevenRick JamesSaxophone1979Happy Holidays to YouThe WhispersSax (Baritone)1979Til Tomorrow ComesRaul de SouzaSaxophone1979Wild and PeacefulTeena MarieSaxophone1978Acting UpMarlena ShawContractor, Copyist1978Here, My DearMarvin GayeSax (Alto)1978We Meet AgainMartha ReevesFlute1977Bundle of JoyFreddie HubbardSax (Baritone)1976AlbertAlbert KingFlute, Saxophone1976Yesterday's DreamsAlphonso JohnsonFlute, Saxophone, Sax (Baritone)1973Let's Get It OnMarvin GayeCopyistDependableCharles DrainFlute, Sax (Baritone)Joue Pas de Rock'n'roll Pour MoiJohnny HallydaySax (Baritone)Quelque chose de TennesseeJohnny HallydaySax (Baritone)
Selected filmography 2013A Home For The Holidays With Celine DionMusic Contractor2012The 63rd Primetime Emmy AwardsMusic Contractor2012X FactorMusic Coordinator
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