Earl May

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Earl Charles Barrington May (* 17th September 1927 in New York City ; † 4. January 2008 in South Orange ) was an American jazz - bassist of the Modern Jazz and Swing .

Live and act

Earl May began his career in New York City in 1949, where he a. a. Played at Minton's Playhouse with musicians such as Lester Young , Mercer Ellington . In 1951 Earl May became a member of the trio of pianist Billy Taylor , with whom he performed in clubs such as the Hickory House , Birdland and the Downbeat Club . During this time he also worked with Charlie Parker , Miles Davis and played on the prestige album Lush Life by John Coltrane . In 1959 he was involved in Chet Baker's album Plays The Best Of Lerner And Loewe .

1959 Earl May left the Billy Taylor Trio to start his own formation; He also worked for a few months with Phineas Newborn , then as musical director and arranger for the singer Gloria Lynne . He also played electric bass during the 1960s and led a quartet at New York's Playboy Club . He has also recorded with Dizzy Gillespie , Frank Foster , Cab Calloway , Tommy Flanagan , Linda Hopkins , Doc Cheatham , Charles Brown , Jon Hendricks , Charlie Rouse , Shirley Scott , Sonny Stitt and Winard Harper . In the 1970s he accompanied the singer Johnny Hartman .

May was a member of the Barry Harris Trio and played a role in the New York swing scene, played at swing events in the trio of Junior Mance , Benny Powell's "The Gift of Love" quintet and with his own quintet, composed of alto saxophonist David Glasser , the pianist Kenny Ham and the drummer Eddie Locke . His records appeared on the swing label Arbors Records . With Billy Taylor he took another album in 2003, with Percy Brice as drummer.

Earl May was considered one of the few left-handed jazz bassists.

Discographic notes

  • Swinging the Blues (Arbots, 2003)

literature

Web links

personal data
SURNAME May, Earl
ALTERNATIVE NAMES May, Earl Charles Barrington (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American jazz bassist specializing in modern jazz and swing
DATE OF BIRTH September 17, 1927
PLACE OF BIRTH New York City
DATE OF DEATH January 4, 2008
Place of death South Orange