Sonny Parker
Sonny Parker (born May 5, 1925 in Youngstown (Ohio) , † February 7, 1957 in Pittsburgh ) was an American rhythm and blues and jazz singer , dancer, songwriter and drummer .
Sonny Parker grew up in Chicago ; his parents appeared as the vaudeville duo Butterbeans and Susie . After various jobs as a dancer and singer in the Chicago clubs, he had his own band in the Cotton Club of Cincinnati in 1948 ; King Kolax also played in his band ; with him he recorded for Columbia in Los Angeles at the end of the year . In 1949 he became a member of Lionel Hampton's orchestra , where he stayed for the remainder of his career and for hits such as "Drinkin 'Wine Spoo-Dee-O-Dee" ; "I Almost Lost My Mind" and "Merry Christmas Baby" was responsible. He also appeared in the music film Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra (1949) and in Hamptons recordings of that time. With him he also went on several European tours between 1953 and 1955.
Parker released some 78s under his own name for labels such as Aladdin Records (USA) , Spire and Peacock Records (such as Big Maceo Merriweathers “ Worried Life Blues ” and his own composition “She Sets My Soul On Fire” , 1952), on which musicians from Hampton Orchestra. In May 1955, during a concert in Valenciennes , he suffered an intracerebral haemorrhage from which he did not recover. He died on February 7, 1957.
Discographic notes
- Sonny Parker Complete 1948–1953 (Blue Moon, compilation)
- Sonny Parker with Lionel Hampton 1949–1951 (EPM, compilation)
Web links
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Parker, Sonny |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American jazz singer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | May 5, 1925 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Youngstown, Ohio |
| DATE OF DEATH | February 7, 1957 |
| Place of death | Pittsburgh |