Jay McShann
Jay McShann , actually James Columbus McShann , also known as Hootie McShann , (born January 12, 1916 in Muskogee , Oklahoma , † December 7, 2006 in Kansas City , Missouri ) was an American blues and swing pianist, band leader and Singer.
Life
McShann had taught himself to play the piano as a child. He began working as a professional musician in the Tulsa , Oklahoma area of Al Dennie in 1931 and in neighboring Arkansas . In 1936 he moved to Kansas City , Missouri , where he played in Buster Smith's band and founded his own big band in 1939 , in which Gene Ramey , Gus Johnson , Bernard Anderson , the singers Al Hibbler and Walter Brown and Charlie Parker (1937 bis 1941, then still a teenager) played. They played both blues and swing , but mostly recorded blues pieces. Her best known recording was Confessin 'The Blues . Parker was able to develop into a distinguished saxophonist in McShann's band. The band broke up in 1944 when McShann had to start his military service, but came back together for a short time after his release that same year. In addition to his regular band, McShann played in a trio with Gene Ramey and Gus Johnson at the end of April 1941 for Decca the song Confessin 'the Blues ; The singer was Walter Brown . It reached rank 24 on the Billboard Top 30 . It wasn't until July 1943 that he achieved another hit with his orchestra and band singer Al Hibbler with Get Me on Your Mind (# 18). It was also the only hit that Charlie Parker took part in, which, however, was not heard with a solo.
In the second half of the 1940s, McShann had smaller bands. He now lived in Los Angeles . In 1945 he began working with Jimmy Witherspoon and making recordings. After that he was increasingly forgotten. In 1948 he went to Los Angeles, where he formed a small band, and in 1958 again to Kansas City.
Jay McShann was rediscovered in 1969 and has since enjoyed considerable popularity as a singer and pianist. His CD Going To Kansas City was nominated for a Grammy , albeit in the "Traditional Blues" category. McShann can also be seen in the documentary The Blues, directed by Clint Eastwood . The 3. March 1979 was the governor declared Missouri for "Jay McShann Day". In addition to many other honors, McShann received the NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship of the National Endowment for the Arts in 1987 .
Jay McShann died in Kansas City in 2006 at the age of 90.
collection
- The Complete Master Jazz Piano Series with Earl Hines , Claude Hopkins , Cliff Jackson , Keith Dunham , Sonny White , Jay McShann, Teddy Wilson , Cliff Smalls , Sir Charles Thompson , Gloria Hearn & Ram Ramirez - (1969–1974) - ( Mosaic - 1990) - 6 LPs or 4 CDs
Awards
- In 1988 Jay McShann was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame .
- In 1996 he received the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.
Movies
- Hootie Blues , 1978, documentary
- The Last of the Blue Devils , 1980, documentary about jazz in Kansas City
Discography
|
|
literature
- Jay McShann, Jazz Pianist, Bandleader and Vocalist, Dies . In: New York Times , December 9, 2006
Web links
- Official Jay McShann website
- Works by and about Jay McShann in the catalog of the German National Library
Individual evidence
- ^ Gerhard Klußmeier: Jazz in the Charts. Another view on jazz history. Liner notes and booklet for the 100 CD edition. Membrane International, ISBN 978-3-86735-062-4
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | McShann, Jay |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | McShann, James Columbus (real name); McShann, hootie |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American blues and swing pianist, band leader and singer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | January 12, 1916 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Muskogee , Oklahoma |
| DATE OF DEATH | December 7, 2006 |
| Place of death | Kansas City , Missouri |