Med Flory

Medford "Med" Flory (August 27, 1926 – March 11, 2018) was an American jazz saxophonist, arranger, composer, and actor. He is best known for co-leading the saxophone ensemble Supersax, which arranged and performed Charlie Parker's improvisations in a five-saxophone format.

Flory was born in Logansport, Indiana. He began playing saxophone as a child and studied music at Indiana University. He played in various big bands throughout the 1940s and 1950s, including those led by Claude Thornhill, Woody Herman, and Art Mooney.

In the early 1970s, Flory and bassist Buddy Clark formed Supersax. The group gained critical acclaim for its innovative arrangements and virtuosic playing, winning a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance by a Group in 1973 for their album Supersax Plays Bird. Flory continued to lead Supersax until his death in 2018.

In addition to his musical career, Flory also had a successful career as a character actor in television and film. He appeared in numerous television shows, including Gunsmoke, The Virginian, Bonanza, The Twilight Zone, MASH*, The A-Team, Cheers, and Murder, She Wrote. His film credits include The Nutty Professor (1963) and Gattaca (1997).

Flory was a prolific composer and arranger, writing for big bands, small ensembles, and film scores. He was also a respected educator, teaching jazz saxophone and arranging at several universities. His contributions to jazz music and the entertainment industry were significant and enduring.