Big Jay McNeely

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Cecil James (Big Jay) McNeely (born April 29, 1927 in Los Angeles , California - † September 16, 2018 ) was an American rhythm and blues tenor saxophonist .

Big Jay McNeeley - The Deacon's Hop
Big Jay McNeely - There Is Something on Your Mind

Career

McNeely was involved in the development of the exalted, extroverted saxophone style " Honkin " and from 1948 also in the development of rock 'n' roll . His first recordings were made in 1948 for the Johnny Otis Orchestra: a total of six singles, which were dubbed "Johnny Otis featuring Jay McNeely". The first own single under his name was created on November 29, 1948 for Savoy Records , produced by Ralph Bass . His greatest hit parade was recorded here with The Deacon's Hop , which took first place on the Rhythm & Blues charts .

Frequent changes of record labels led him to Federal Records in October 1954 , where Ralph Bass was now employed as the label boss and producer. Eight singles were created here, but all of them largely went unnoticed. When he signed another record deal with the tiny Swingin 'Records label with great routine in June 1959 , his situation changed. His own composition There Is Something On Your Mind (singing by Little Sonny Warner) made it to number five on the rhythm & blues charts and became his biggest sales success. The song was subsequently covered by 14 artists. After a total of six singles, McNeely left this label again. Big Jay McNeely toured until June 2018, repeating his classic stage routine of playing his tenor saxophone lying down.

McNeely died of cancer in September 2018 at the age of 91.

Discography, selection

Savoy Records:

  • Wild Wig / Benson's Groove (# 682), November 29, 1948
  • Sunday Dinner / California Hop (# 698), November 29, 1948 / December 13, 1948
  • Man Eater / Cherry Smash (# 713), November 29, 1948 / December 13, 1948
  • The Deacon's Hop / Artie's Jump (# 685), December 13, 1948
  • Sunday Dinner / California Hop (# 698), November 29, 1948 / December 13, 1948

Exclusive Records:

  • Tondelayou / Hoppin 'With Hunter (# 108), 1949

Aladdin Records:

  • Jay's Frantic / Deacon's Blowout (# 3050), February 1950

Imperial Records:

  • All That Wine Is Gone / Don't Cry Baby (# 5115), April 1950
  • Insect Ball (vocals: Mercy Dee Walton) / Sad Story (# 5130), January 1951
  • Let's Do It / I'll Never Fall In Love Again (# 5164), February 1952
  • Tall Brown Woman / The Deacon Blows For Ray (# 5169), March 1952
  • Jay Walker / Night Rider (# 5176) April 1952
  • That Old Mule / True Love (# 5186), August 1952

Federal Records:

  • The Goof / Big Jay's Shuffle (# 12102), October 1952
  • Just Crazy / Penthouse Serenade (# 12111), December 1952
  • Nervous, Man, Nervous / Rock Candy (# 12141), September 1953
  • Texas Turkey / 3-D (# 12151), October 1953
  • Mule Milk / Ice Water (# 12168), February 1954
  • Whipped Cream / Hot Cinders (# 12179), April 1954
  • Hard Tack / Let's Work (# 12186), June 1954
  • Beachcomber / Strip Tease Swing (# 12191), August 1954

Vee-Jay Records:

  • Big Hay's Hop / Three Blind Mice (# 142), June 1955

Swingin 'Records:

  • Back. . .Shack. . Track / There Is Something On Your Mind (vocals: Little Sonny Warner) (# 714), June 1959
  • I Got The Message / Psycho Serenade (# 618), October 1959
  • Minnie / My Darling Dear (# 622), 1960
  • I Love You Darling / Oh What A Fool (# 627),
  • Before Midnight / After Midnight (# 629), 1961
  • The Squat / Without Love (# 637), 1962

Warner Brothers:

  • You Don't Have To Go / Jay's Count (# 5401), 1963

Big J Records:

  • Rockin 'The Reeds (Big J Records # 105), 1987

Vagabond Records:

Cleopatra Blues:

  • Honkin '& Jivin' at the Palomino , September 2017

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ RIP Big Jay McNeely, April 29, 1927-Sept. 16, 2018
personal data
SURNAME McNeely, Big Jay
ALTERNATIVE NAMES McNeely, Cecil James (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American rhythm & blues saxophonist
DATE OF BIRTH April 29, 1927
PLACE OF BIRTH Los Angeles , California
DATE OF DEATH 16th September 2018