Preston Love (1921-2004) was a renowned alto saxophonist, bandleader and songwriter from Omaha, Nebraska. Preston Love grew up in North Omaha and graduated from North High. He became renowned as a professional sideman and saxophone balladeer in the heyday of the big band era. He was a member of the bands of Nat Towles, Lloyd Hunter, Snub Mosley, Lucky Millinder and Fats Waller before getting his big break with the Count Basie Orchestra when he was 22. ...show more

Preston Love (1921-2004) was a renowned alto saxophonist, bandleader and songwriter from Omaha, Nebraska. Preston Love grew up in North Omaha and graduated from North High. He became renowned as a professional sideman and saxophone balladeer in the heyday of the big band era. He was a member of the bands of Nat Towles, Lloyd Hunter, Snub Mosley, Lucky Millinder and Fats Waller before getting his big break with the Count Basie Orchestra when he was 22.

Love eventually became a bandleader himself, playing with Lena Horne, Billie Holiday, his friends Johnny Otis and Wynonie Harris, with whom he had several hits. In the early 1960s Love worked with Ray Charles in California, eventually becoming Motown's West Coast house bandleader. Love toured the U.S. and Europe quite frequently into the 1990s, additionally lecturing and writing about the history he was part of.

Other legends he played with included The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin. In his later years Love moved back to Omaha, wrote a book and was an advertising agent for the Omaha Star, a local newspaper serving the city's African American community. His daughter is Laura Love.. ...show less