George Cassidy (jazz musician)

George Cassidy
Cassidy, playing his signature Henri Selmer Paris tenor saxophone, 1959
Background information
Birth nameGeorge Cassidy
Born7 September 1936
Belfast, Northern Ireland
OriginBloomfield, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Died28 May 2023
GenresJazz, beat music, blues pop music
Occupation(s)Jazz musician, music teacher
Instrument(s)Tenor saxophone, clarinet, lap steel guitar, hurdy-gurdy

George Cassidy (7 September 1936 – 28 May 2023) was a Northern Irish jazz musician and music teacher from Bloomfield, Belfast, Northern Ireland, specializing in the tenor saxophone. He was also noted for teaching fellow Belfast musician Van Morrison music reading and notation and giving him saxophone lessons. Cassidy also played the clarinet, hurdy-gurdy and Hawaiian Guitar. Following a stint in a local beat band, Cassidy toured in Ireland playing saxophone behind Dusty Springfield with The Springfields. Cassidy was lead saxophonist with the Regal Accordion & Saxophone Band.