Jimmy Lyon (pianist)
James Frederick "Jimmy" Lyon (born November 6, 1921 in Morgan Village, Camden (New Jersey) , † November 28, 1984 in New York City ) was an American jazz pianist .
Lyon went to school in Collingwood, New Jersey, and worked as a pianist in the Air Force after completing military service in World War II. His main influence was Art Tatum . He came to New York from Philadelphia with Tal Farlow and Buddy DeFranco in 1948 and played for Gene Williams . He accompanied June Christy and played in the bands of Sam Donahue , Bobby Byrne and with Benny Goodman . From 1953 he had his own trio in New York, with whom he accompanied the performing musicians at the Blue Angel. 1970 to 1978 he accompanied Mabel Mercer , with whom he had first made a recording in 1958. He also accompanied the singers Polly Bergen and Connie Haines . From 1978 he had a longer engagement as a pianist in Peacock Alley, the piano bar in the Waldorf Astoria . His repertoire consisted mainly of the Great American Song Book ( Cole Porter , Jerome Kern , Richard Rodgers and others) in line with his many years of experience as an accompanist for female singers. He died of cancer.
He recorded with Buddy DeFranco, among others.
literature
- Carlo Bohländer , Karl Heinz Holler, Christian Pfarr: Reclam's Jazz Guide . 3rd, revised and expanded edition. Reclam, Stuttgart 1989, ISBN 3-15-010355-X .
Web links
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Lyon, Jimmy |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Lyon, James Frederick (real name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American jazz pianist |
| DATE OF BIRTH | November 6, 1921 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Morgan Village, Camden, New Jersey |
| DATE OF DEATH | November 28, 1984 |
| Place of death | New York City |