Tenor saxophonist extraordinare, Fred Anderson was born in Monroe, Louisiana in 1929. In 1940, Fred migrated to Evanston, Illinois, and also lived for a time in Gary, Indiana. Making a living waiting tables, and installing carpet, Fred Anderson honed his skills on tenor. He cites his primary musical influence as Charlie Parker because of Bird's profound knowledge of the saxophone. In the early 1960's, Fred came in contact with more and more members of the soon-to-be-formed AACM.