VINCENT HERRING

Vincent Herring's first album, American Experience, came out last fall to good reviews. The jazz saxophonist's second album, Evidence, with its hard-edged interpretation of mainstream tunes, was released in January; after hearing it, one jazz critic proclaimed that Herring ''may be the first major-league saxophonist of his generation.'' In the coming months, he'll tour almost constantly, with cornetist/trumpeter Nat Adderley and with a group he leads himself. Says the 26-year-old Herring: ''This year I've turned down more money than I made two years ago.'' Times were even harder back in 1983, when Herring performed on the streets of New York for donations. ''It was the only way I could play every day, all day, and get the experience I needed,'' he says. Since leaving the street behind about four years ago, the alto saxophonist has appeared with such all-stars as drummer Art Blakey and pianist Horace Silver. ''I can't believe all the stuff that's happening,'' says the Brooklyn-based Herring. ''I've accomplished all I set out to do. I have to set some new goals.'' -RG