Mary Lou Williams piano 1910 Pittsburgh, PA
Mary Lou Williams was the first female pianist brought to prominence by the swing era. From1931 to 1942 Mary Lou played in Andy Kirk's band. She also arranged for Benny Goodman, led numerous combos of her own, and worked in England and France in 1953-54. A deeply religious woman,she was responsible for the launching of a foundation dedicated to helping musicians with personal problems. The foundation occupied much of her time in the early '60s. She eventually returned to an active schedule, playing many of the popular clubs in N.Y. and doing many concerts and festivals. Billy Taylor, speaking of Mary Lou in an interview with Marion McPartland, said "She has the most consistant way of swinging; even with a rhythm section that isn't quite hanging together, she can make it swing"! In the 1940s, she adapted easily to the new bop idiom. By the 1960s her playing attained a level of complexity that rivaled avant-garde jazz pianism of the time. Mary Lou Williams died in 1981.
Keith Jarrett piano 1945 Allentown, PA
Keith Jarrett first came to prominance with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in 1965. Jarrett has wonderful technical skills, that he acquired at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia ,and an affinity for lyrical melodies that gives his work a singing quality. In 1966 and '67 he began to build an international reputation through many European tours with Charles Lloyd. During 1970 and '71 Keith was with Miles Davis, which also helped to establish his reputation. After leaving Miles, he formed his own trio with Paul Motian, drums, and Charlie Haden on bass. Jarrett also performs in concert as a soloist. It has been said,"While rooted in American jazz and lore, Jarrett seems to find greater inspiration when playing in Germany, and Scandinavia". Jarrett has, for years, spent much of his time playing in Europe where he has a large following. Keith is a musician who seems to put his whole being into his playing, as he shows his emotions with his entire body, moving and bending as he plays. Classical music and his trio with Jack DeJohnett and Gary Peacock, have become his great passions. The trio performs with the perfection associated with groups such as the Modern Jazz Quartet. An evening of Keith Jarrett's music is truly a memorable event.
Robert Johnson guitar 1911 Hazelhurst MS
Robert's life is shrouded in myth and legend. He was known to many as father of the blues. During the 1930s he traveled the Deep South, playing anywhere the train happened to take him. His older brother , Charles, taught him to play the guitar, and his influences were Son House, and Charley Patton. He found his own style in odd chord movements and note usage. Robert's guitar playing was the beginning of his legend. Son House had known Robert when he began to learn to play. House went on the road and did not see Robert for around 4 years, and when they finally did meet again, House was astounded by Robert's impressive guitar playing. Just how did Robert learn to play so well so fast? Legend has it that Robert made a deal with the Devil; in exchange for his soul he wanted to play the guitar better than anyone. This legend is based in part on Johnson's recording of "Crossroads Blues", which tells the story of him standing at a crossroads trying to hitch a ride. In Deep South mythology, one went to a crossroads at night if they wanted to make a deal with the Devil. The real story is probably the size of Johnson's hands. He had large hands with long fingers, and this was how he was able to play such innovative chords and notes. Johnson's death is also surrounded by mystery. He died in 1938, falling ill after playing a party and dying 4 days later. Some people said that Robert's deal with the Devil had come due and as evidence gave the fact that they had seen him on all fours, howling at the moon on the night he died. He could also have been shot by a jealous husband, as Robert was not shy with the ladies, and often stayed with women he found at the places he played. He could also have been stabbed by a woman. The truth is that Robert was poisoned , either by the barkeeper at the saloon he played that night, who was angry because Robert had been seen talking to his wife, or by a jealous girlfriend. Whatever the reason, Johnson died at the young age of 27, and left a legacy of Delta Blues music that has influenced guitar players from Muddy Waters to Eric Clapton. Columbia Records issued a two-disc boxed set, The Complete Recordings Of Robert Johnson, in 1990.
