Helen Ward, Singer, 1916, New York, NY
Helen learned the piano as a child, but decided to sing ,while in her teens. In the early '30s she was able to secure a position as a singer on radio station WOR in New York and then she became a staff musician at NBC. On the radio show "Let's Dance", Helen sang with the popular Benny Goodman band. During the mid '30s she toured and made several recordings with Goodman, including Goody-Goody, that became a huge hit. The record displays her exuberant, swinging style. During the period 1937 - 1942 she didn't tour but only sang on recordings, accompanied by various musicians, among them Gene Krupa, Teddy Wilson, Bob Crosby, and Harry James. During the early '40s Helen performed with Hal McIntyre, and recorded with Red Norvo, James, and Wild Bill Davison. After a long period of inactivity, in 1979 she resumed performing and recording and worked well into the '80s.
Richard Muhal Abrams, Piano, 1930, Chicago, IL
Richard was a composer, pianist and an administrator. He studied piano when in his teens, attended the Chicago Musical College for 4 years, and after graduating began working professionally in 1948. During the '50s he was busy arrangeing for various groups, large and small. For several years Richard worked with leading soloists during their visits to Chicago, including Miles Davis, Max Roach, Sonny Rollins, and Johnny Griffin. Of greater importance was his forming the Experimental Band in 1961, one of the earliest free-jazz groups on record, and the Association For The Advancement of Creative Musicians, which was a musicians cooperative. He was the association's first president and he encouraged young musicians to educate themselves and become familiar with the entire history of jazz ,and at the same time to experiment with new forms. He influenced such musicians as Lester Bowie, Anthony Braxton, and George Lewis. Abrams made his home in New York around 1977 where he performed and recorded as a very active soloist. In the mid '80s he fulfilled a commission by the Kronos String Quartet. Abrams' work as a pianist reflects his interest in music of many genres, including stride piano, free jazz, and 20th century art music. He plays clarinet in addition to his principal instrument, the piano.
