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- Duke Ellington. Considered one of the most influential jazz composers of the 20th century, Duke Ellington was a legendary piano player born in Washington, D.C.
- Alicia Keys. Alicia Keys is probably the most well-known black pianist alive today, born Alicia Augello Cook in New York City in 1981. She was classically trained and signed to Columbia Records at age 15 before moving onto Arista Records to release her debut album.
- Herbie Hancock. Herbie Hancock was born in Chicago in 1940 to parents with no outward talent for music. Recognized quickly in the public school system as a child prodigy, Hancock was tutored in classical music for years before moving on to jazz.
- Scott Joplin. Scott Joplin, “The King of Ragtime,” is another legendary black pianist from the 20th century. Born in rural Texas in 1868, the story goes that Joplin taught himself how to play piano in a white home his mother worked in.
Pages in category "African-American jazz pianists" The following 94 pages are in this category, out of 94 total. This list may not reflect recent changes . A. Muhal Richard Abrams. Geri Allen. Angelica Sanchez (musician) Lil Hardin Armstrong. B. Kenny Barron. Count Basie. Jon Batiste. Walter Bishop Jr. Eubie Blake. Terence Blanchard.
- Miles Davis
- Sarah Vaughan
- Duke Ellington
- Nancy Wilson
- Charles Mingus
- Lionel Hampton
- Charlie Parker
- Count Basie
- Walter Film’S African Americana Collection
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Background
One of the greats in the pantheon of African Americana is Miles Davis (seen above). Davis picked up the trumpet at age 13. Before it was all over, he’d won just about every honor and glory a jazz musician can achieve, including six Grammys and numerous best-selling albums. The Grammy Hall of Fame inducted ten of his releases, including 1949’s Birth of the Cool and, from a decade later, Kind of Blue. * The groundwork above and much more was laid down when, in 1944, he relocated to New York Cit...
On The Way Up
In rapid order came two record contracts. The first was with the noteworthy Prestige outfit, followed by a mainstream affiliation with none other than one of THE big three record labels: Columbia.
The “Ig Time
There are far too many highpoints to address here; however, two which cry out are the album Kind of Blue (1959), which became the most significant selling jazz album of its day, and the Miles Davis-[arranger] Gil Evans big band trilogy: Miles Ahead, Porgy and Bess andSketches of Spain. One of his major European engagements included a period of early ‘50s residency in France where he was awarded the
Two Legs Up
No doubt about it. The numbers one and two female jazz vocalists in the golden age of the art form were Ella, Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan. Three-quarters of a century later, that still — more or less — holds true. Along the way, there were many memorable recordings, and the winning of countless awards, including four Grammys. Though Sarah came along a decade-or-so later after Ella, like “First Lady of Song” Fitzgerald, she got a head start by winning the historic talent contest at Harlem’s A...
There is little question that Duke Ellington was the most famous, respected, charming, talented, elegant figures of the jazz musician and “beyond category” a definition oft-used to describe him. The elegance of this WalterFilm poster gives some sense of how much admiration his label, Victor, accorded him. The Masterhad been primarily with that labe...
Right Out Of The Starting Gate
Born in Ohio, jazz vocalist Nancy Wilson, after much performance time on the road, arrived in New York City in 1960. She soon signed with Capitol Records. Right off, she had the good fortune to record with the label’s stars Cannonball Adderley and George Shearing. Both recordings were hits. It probably helped in marketing Wilson that she was exceptionally attractive. Wilson would have a successful career with Capitol, lasting from that start in ‘60 to 1971. She would also have success on TV–w...
Versatility Personified
It was a long row to hoe for this master musician, from the ‘40s L.A. Central Avenue Swing-to-Bop crossover scene. Eventually, however, he could be found starring at the likes of major Japan concert halls. In 1971, he even recorded an album while performing there.
Tracks Record
Mingus had first recorded in the early 1940s. The overall sound was much like swing stars of that era, such as Benny Goodman. However, a Mingus 78 rpm disc from just a few years finds this player/composer/arranger thoroughly ensconced in the bubbling bop cauldron. Later in his career, Mingus could be found versatile enough to be performing with players from any era. An example: an early Sixties trio of Mingus, vibist Red Norvo and guitarist Tal Farlow.
Way Too Soon
Although Mingus died at 56, his name remains high on the list of jazz greats. Two major documentaries attest to this.
Musical Integration
In addition to his significant seven-decades-long career as a jazz musician, bandleader, vibes player, African-American Lionel Hampton (1908-2002) is also remembered for another undertaking. In 1936 he helped Benny Goodmantear down the walls between white and black musicians in “live” performances. Years later, Hampton observed: “The Benny Goodman Quartet made it possible for Jackie Robinsonto get into major league baseball. This was such an important development that we just cannot fluff it...
Fast Forward
Starting in the mid-Thirties, alto saxophonist Carlie Parker found himself inspired by the swing era likes of Ellington and Basie. But not for long. It would not be stressing things too much in calling this Kansas City, Missourian, “the man who invented modern jazz.” Parker has received numerous forms of tribute, including documentaries, biographies, and stage productions, with one of the most well-regarded being the big screen docudrama, Clint Eastwood’s Bird. As noted in the description of...
On The T.O.B.A *
Starting in show business, pianist Count Basie worked as a back-up player on the historic black vaudeville circuit, the Theater Owners Booking Association *. Eventually, these musical meanderings landed him in Kansas City, Missouri. It was there, in 1935, that he founded his first big band, which would endure for the next half-century. Basie didn’t leave his Jersey home (and place of birth) entirely behind; he would become widely known as “The Kid from Red Bank.” It stuck with him for the res...
WalterFilm.com offers a range of African-American Cultural History that celebrates the achievements of black actors, black artists, black musicians, black athletes, black politicians, and other members of this country’s African-American Community. To see the extensive vintage original collection click on this link; African-American Collectibles and...
Learn about the lives and careers of eight influential black jazz musicians, such as Miles Davis, Sarah Vaughan, and Duke Ellington, through posters, photos, and videos. WalterFilm offers a collection of rare and unique African Americana memorabilia for sale.
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African-American jazz pianists (94 P) Pages in category "African-American pianists" The following 200 pages are in this category, out of approximately 286 total. This list may not reflect recent changes . (previous page) ( next page) A. Johnny Ace. Kei Akagi. William Appling. Archibald (musician) Charles Avery (pianist) B. Philip Bailey.
Jun 17, 2020 · The pianist Harry Whitaker is best known as a member of Roy Ayers’s band, but in 1976, he formed his own group and released the album “Body, Mind, and Spirit” under the name Black Renaissance.
African-American jazz pianists (94 P) Pages in category "African-American jazz musicians" The following 200 pages are in this category, out of approximately 253 total. This list may not reflect recent changes . (previous page) ( next page) A. George Adams (musician) Cannonball Adderley. Nat Adderley. Ambrose Akinmusire. Willie Akins.
Sep 22, 2020 · Still without a home for their recordings, Carn and Carvin then heard of a new label, Black Jazz Records, which was being run in Oakland by Gene Russell, a pianist who had scored a minor hit...
