Jackie Paris, Singer, 1926, Nutley, NJ
Jackie began his professional career as a guitarist, not as a singer. He played guitar with Nick Jarret in New York during the early '40s. After military service in the mid '40s he returned to New York to perform, this time as a singer, as a with several different groups on 52nd Street. As a leader of his own group he performed intermittently from 1947 to 1962. He is probably best known for his beautiful recording of "Skylark" that he cut in 1947. In the late '40s Jackie was a member of Lionel Hampton's group, performing but not recording. Although Jackie was named "Best New Male Vocalist" by Downbeat magazine in 1953, for some unknown reason he never seemed to make it as a popular performer. He actually had difficulty securing steady work as a jazz musician, and the best he could do was perform in clubs and at several resorts.. Jackie always seemed to achieve glowing reviews and admiration of other musicians in a career that began when he was a child, but never brought him fame. He worked with the most prominent people in jazz, but widespread success eluded him. In recent years Paris didn't perform too ,and made most of his income from much teaching master classes and giving private lessons. Jackie Paris died in 2004.
Billy Bang, Violin/Composer, 1947, Mobile, AL
Billy learned the violin while a youngster growing up in Spanish Harlem, an area steeped in jazz. While in his teens, John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman became his idols and influences. Billy was very much an activist, and decided early on to express himself with his music. From the mid '60s to the mid '70s he worked as a freelance violinist in the New York area. In 1977, after a tour of Europe, Billy played his first solo concert in New York and thereafter he made annual tours of Europe. Also around this time he formed a chamber jazz group, The String Trio of New York, with James Emory and John Lindberg, a group that stayed together until 1986. The strong attack and rough, bluesy tone that characterize Bang's style have led critics and fans to compare his playing with that of Stuff Smith, Ray Nance and Ornette Coleman.
Steve Coleman, Saxophone, 1956, Chicago, IL
Steve's childhood was spent on Chicago's South Side, in a musical environment second to none. He was exposed to all that city's musical traditions, from blues through soul to jazz. Steve's father was a huge fan of Charlie Parker, which probably influenced Steve to take up the saxophone. He claims he was actually influenced more by Maceo than by Bird, and by the time he was in his early '20s he had discovered Von Freeman who became very influential. Coleman made his move to New York around 1978 to work with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis orchestra, and also with Cecil Taylor and Sam Rivers. During this same period he also managed to record with Wynton Marsalis, David Murray, and Dave Holland. He formed his own band, Five Elements, (the name comes from a kung-fu movie) with which he began to carve out his own style. He released several fine albums featuring like-minded musicians such as Graham Haynes, Geri Allen, and Robin Eubanks during the mid to late '80s, but when Coleman signed with RCA, a few years later, he came to a wider jazz public's notice. The six albums he made for RCA all showcase a heady mix of street-smart rhythms, from hip-hop and rap to funk, jazz and soul. Steve has established himself as one of the music's most vital improvisers and catalysts.
Red Mitchell, Bass, 1927, New York, NY
