Don Lanphere (tenor and soprano saxophone), a veteran of the early 1940s bop scene in New York, was one of Washington’s best-known native sons.  He recorded with Fats Navarro, Woody Herman, and Artie Shaw, and led his own group the Don Lanphere Sextet.  He recorded on Hep Records.

The members of the SRJO are very saddened by the loss of our dear friend and mentor, Don Lanphere. Don was a founding member of the SRJO, and after playing as the band's lead tenor saxophonist for over eight years, he passed away on October 9, 2003, due to complications brought on by liver disease.

Don is featured prominently on the "SRJO Live" compact disc, and will always be remembered as an important part of the SRJO's personality and sound.