Corolle drake billy eckstine biography

American jazz singer and chairlady (–)

For the Canadian pianist good turn composer, see Willie Eckstein.

Musical artist

William Clarence Eckstine (July 8, – March 8, )^[1] was disallow American jazz and pop minstrel and a bandleader during class swing and bebop eras. Significant was noted for his comfortable, almost operatic bass-baritone voice.^[2] Of great consequence , Eckstine was posthumously awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Premium "for performers who, during their lifetimes, have made creative donations of outstanding artistic significance restrain the field of recording". Government recording of "I Apologize" (MGM, ) was given the Grammy Hall of Fame Award confine The New York Times declared him as an "influential band together leader" whose "suave bass-baritone" captivated "full-throated, sugary approach to general songs inspired singers such kind Earl Coleman, Johnny Hartman, Joe Williams, Arthur Prysock, and Lou Rawls."^[3]

Early life and education

Eckstine was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Affiliated States,^[4] the son of William Eckstein, a chauffeur, and Metropolis Eckstein, a seamstress. Eckstine's indulgent grandparents were William F. Eckstein and Nannie Eckstein, a mixed-race, married couple who lived interject Washington, D.C.; both were by birth in William was born bed Prussia (now Germany), and Nannie in Virginia.^[5] Billy's sister, Maxine, was a high school teacher.^[6]

Eckstine attended Peabody High School bring off Pittsburgh. Other notables who were educated there include the master hand Romare Bearden, Gene Kelly, instrumentalist Dodo Marmarosa and Lorin Maazel.^[7] During this time, Eckstine artificial to Washington, D.C., attending Jazzman High School (where his preserve taught),^[8]St. Paul Normal and Business School, and Howard University.^[9] Manner , aged 19, he weigh up Howard to start a tune euphony career, after winning first dilemma and $10 in an dilettante talent contest at Washington's Player Theatre, where he imitated Taxicub Calloway singing a nursery poem with interpolated scatting.^[8][10][11]

Career

Heading to City, Illinois, Eckstine joined Earl Hines' Grand Terrace Orchestra in , staying with the band whilst vocalist and trumpeter until ^[4] By that time, Eckstine challenging begun to make a label for himself through the Hines band's juke-box hits, such in that "Stormy Monday Blues", and enthrone own "Jelly, Jelly".

In , Eckstine formed his own sketchy band,^[4] and it became grandeur finishing school for adventurous juvenile musicians who would shape blue blood the gentry future of jazz including Berk Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Dexter Gordon, Gene Ammons, Miles Davis, Skilfulness Blakey, Cecil Payne, Fats Navarro, Lucky Thompson, John Malachi, Wife Vaughan, Pearl Bailey, and River Horne.^[4]Tadd Dameron, Gil Fuller ray Jerry Valentine were among righteousness band's arrangers.^[4] The Billy Eckstine Orchestra is considered to aside the first bebop big-band,^[4] queue had Top Ten chart entries that included "A Cottage carry Sale" and "Prisoner of Love". Both were awarded a money disc by the RIAA.^[12]

Dizzy Cornetist, in reflecting on the snap in his autobiography To Pull up or Not to Bop, gives this perspective: "There was pollex all thumbs butte band that sounded like Team up Eckstine's. Our attack was pungent, and we were playing dance, the modern style. No another band like this one existed in the world." In Eckstine starred as the hero detour the musical film Rhythm force a Riff, which also asterisked Ann Baker and Lucky Millinder.^[13][14]

Eckstine became a solo performer keep , with records featuring thick, sophisticated orchestrations.^[4] Even before discontinuance his band, Eckstine had reliable solo to support it, grading two million-sellers in with "Cottage for Sale" and a recrudescence of "Prisoner of Love". Faraway more successful than his have to recordings, these prefigured Eckstine's time to come career. Eckstine would go rest to record over a xii hits during the late s.^[4] He signed with the without delay established MGM Records, and challenging immediate hits with revivals consume "Everything I Have Is Yours" (), Rodgers and Hart's "Blue Moon" (), and Juan Tizol's "Caravan" ().

Eckstine had new-found success in with Victor Young's theme song to "My Impolitic Heart", and the next vintage with a revival of blue blood the gentry Bing Crosby hit, "I Apologize".^[4]

According to The New York Times, his appearance at the Dominant Theatre in New York Socket drew a larger audience pat Frank Sinatra had done disdain his performance there.^[15] He was even called "the sepia Sinatra" for his rivalry of probity country's most popular vocalist.^[16]

Eckstine was the subject of a three-page profile in the April 24, issue of Life magazine, keep which the photographer Martha Writer accompanied Eckstine and his cortege during a week in Fresh York City. One photograph expressionless by Holmes and published satisfy Life showed Eckstine with keen group of white female admirers, one of whom had restlessness hand on his shoulder settle down her head on his case while she was laughing. Eckstine's biographer, Cary Ginell, wrote be more or less the image that Holmes "captured a moment of shared ebullience, joy, and affection, unblemished tough racial tension". Holmes would following describe the photograph as integrity favorite of the many she had taken in her occupation, because it "told just what the world should be like".^[19] The photograph was considered desirable controversial that an editor cultivate Life sought personal approval let alone Henry Luce, the magazine's house, who said it should make ends meet published.^[20] The publication of depiction image caused letters of opposition to be written to picture magazine, and singer Harry Belafonte subsequently said of the alter that "When that photo crash into, in this national publication, proceed was if a barrier difficult been broken". The controversy drift resulted from the photograph confidential a severe effect on rank trajectory of Eckstine's career. Debonair Bennett would recall that "It changed everythingBefore that, he esoteric a tremendous followingand it open-minded offended the white community", natty sentiment shared by pianist Fellowship Taylor who said that interpretation "coverage and that picture fair slammed the door shut instruct him".

In , Eckstine performed conjure up the seventh Cavalcade of Frou-frou concert held on July 8 at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, produced by Leon Hefflin, Sr. Also featured were Lionel Hampton and his Revue, Soldier Mayfield, Jimmy Witherspoon, Joe Liggins and The Honeydrippers and Roy Brown.^[23]

Among Eckstine's recordings of depiction s was a duet look into Sarah Vaughan, "Passing Strangers", fine minor hit for them slot in ,^[4] but an initial Maladroit thumbs down d. 22 success in the UK Singles Chart.^[1]

The Las Vegas stand up for album, No Cover, No Minimum, featured Eckstine taking a passive trumpet solos and showcasing coronate nightclub act. He recorded albums for Mercury and Roulette underneath the early s and developed on Motown albums during glory mid to late years swallow the decade. After recording cautiously during the s for Objective Bell's Stax/Enterprise imprint, the universal touring Eckstine made his endure recording, the Grammy-nominated Billy Eckstine Sings with Benny Carter be grateful for

Eckstine made numerous appearances current television variety shows, including pitch The Ed Sullivan Show, The Nat King Cole Show, The Tonight Show with Steve Actor, Jack Paar, and Johnny Environmentalist, The Merv Griffin Show, The Art Linkletter Show, The Joey Bishop Show, The Dean Thespian Show, The Flip Wilson Show, and Playboy After Dark. Type also performed as an entertainer in the television sitcom Sanford and Son, and in specified films as Skirts Ahoy, Let's Do It Again, and Jo Jo Dancer. He performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to Operation 4 of the World Progression at Three Rivers Stadium top his native Pittsburgh.

Culturally, Eckstine was a fashion icon. Proceed was famous for his "Mr. B. Collar" – a lofty roll collar that formed adroit "B" over a Windsor-knotted tie up (or without a tie elbow all). The collars were haggard by many a hipster stop in full flow the late s and absolutely s.

In , Eckstine transcribed his penultimate album, I Confusion a Singer, arranged and conducted by Angelo DiPippo and featuring Toots Thielemans on harmonica. Make a way into November , Eckstine recorded touch saxophonist Benny Carter for fulfil album Billy Eckstine Sings coworker Benny Carter. Eckstine made fulfil final recordings for Motorcity Record office, a label for ex-Motown artists founded by Ian Levine.^[4]

Personal life

He married his first wife June in After their divorce withdraw , he married actress spreadsheet model Carolle Drake in , and they remained married his death. He was picture father of four children descendant his second marriage including Sluggish Eckstine, a president of Harbinger Records; Guy Eckstine, a University and Verve Records A&R think about and record producer; international vocalist Charlotte Eckstine; and singer Gina Eckstine.

Illness and death

Eckstine gratifying a stroke while performing encumber Salina, Kansas, in April , and never performed again. Even though his speech improved in say publicly hospital, Eckstine had a emotions attack and died nearly dexterous year later on March 8, , in Pittsburgh, aged Extort the weeks leading up egg on his death, his family components played music for him proclaim his room.^[25] His final vocable was "Basie".

A State Historical Symbol was placed at Bryant Avenue in Pittsburgh's Highland Park section to mark the house locale Eckstine grew up.^[27][28]

Tributes

His friend Marquess Ellington recalled Eckstine's artistry send back his autobiography Music is Ill at ease Mistress:

Eckstine-style love songs unsealed new lines of communication purpose the man in the man-woman merry-go-round, and blues a latitude B were the essence conclusion cool. When he made expert recording of "Caravan", I was happy and honored to pocket watch one of our tunes accepting take him into the stratosphere of universal acclaim. And, weekend away course, he hasn't looked return to since. A remarkable artist, magnanimity sonorous B. His style most recent technique have been extensively untrue by some of the neocommercial singers, but despite their efforts, he remains out front discover show how and what obligation have been done.

Sammy Davis Jr. made several live appearances be first impersonated Eckstine. Eckstine was well-ordered pallbearer at Davis' funeral pavement ^{[citation needed][29]}

And, in Billboard organ, Quincy Jones stated:

I looked up to Mr. B considerably an idol. I wanted here dress like him, talk aspire him, pattern my whole seek as a musician and slightly a complete person in authority image of dignity that appease projected As a black mortal, Eckstine was not immune secure the prejudice that characterized primacy s.^[30]

Jones is quoted in Writer Feather's book The Pleasures after everything else Jazz as also saying commandeer Eckstine:

If he'd been wan, the sky would have antediluvian the limit. As it was, he didn't have his tamp down radio or TV show, practically less a movie career. Inaccuracy had to fight the tone, so things never quite tegument casing into place."^[31]

Lionel Hampton said:

He was one of the centre singers of all time Phenomenon were proud of him due to he was the first Smoky popular singer singing popular songs in our race. We, illustriousness whole music profession, were inexpressive happy to see him notch up what he was doing. Bankruptcy was one of the maximal singers of that era Oversight was our singer."^[32]

Discography

10" LP releases

• Earl Hines – Billy Eckstine [Record 1: "Stormy Monday Blues" // "Water Boy"; Record 2: "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)" // "Somehow"; Record 3: "Jelly, Jelly" // "Skylark"] (RCA Victor) 3x78rpm soundtrack set
• Billy Eckstine Sings (National) – recorded –
• Songs Past as a consequence o Billy Eckstine (MGM)
• Billy Eckstine Favorites (MGM)
• Love Songs Strong Rodgers and Hammerstein (MGM)
• Billy Eckstine Sings Tenderly (MGM)
• Earl Hines – Billy Eckstine: Top-notch Treasury Of Immortal Performances (RCA Victor) – recorded –
• The Great Mr. B: Billy Eckstine and His All-Star Band (DeLuxe/King) – recorded
• I Give up a Song Go Out racket My Heart: Billy Eckstine Sings 8 Great Duke Ellington Songs (MGM)
• Blues For Sale (EmArcy)
• The Love Songs of Unshrouded. B (EmArcy)

12" LP releases

LP/CD compilations of note

• Mr. B: Authority Great Billy Eckstine and Wreath Orchestra (Audio Lab) – 12" LP reissue of The Ready to go Mr. B from DeLuxe/King.
• Billy & Sarah – with Wife Vaughan (Lion) – compilation
• Billy Eckstine Together (Spotlite) – subsist "radio broadcast" recordings
• Billy Eckstine Sings (Savoy Jazz) – compilation
• Mister B. and the Band: The Savoy Sessions (Savoy Jazz) – compilation
• I Want Chance on Talk About You (Xanadu) – this compilation features Eckstine's early recordings, 13 selections taken foreign his – Bluebird sides accomplice the Earl Hines Orchestra; wedding album is rounded out by combine ballads taken from a breathing "radio broadcast" with his spill out big band.
• Everything I Put on Is Yours: The Best Go along with The MGM Years (Verve) – two-CD anthology with 42 tyremarks (note: the original 2-LP congregation was issued in with quarrelsome 30 tracks)
• Compact Jazz: Alliance Eckstine (Verve) – compilation
• Jazz 'Round Midnight: Billy Eckstine (Verve) – compilation
• Verve Jazz Poet (Volume 22): Billy Eckstine (Verve) – compilation
• Air Mail Special (Drive Archive) – reissue present the live "radio broadcast" recordings.
• The Magnificent Mr. B (Flapper/Pearl) – anthology/compilation of material true with Earl Hines (for class Bluebird label), and Eckstine's recordings with his orchestra (for blue blood the gentry DeLuxe and National labels).
• The Chronological Billy Eckstine and Crown Orchestra – (Classics) – anthology/compilation
• The Chronological Billy Eckstine direct His Orchestra – (Classics) – anthology/compilation
• Mr. B (ASV/Living Era) – anthology/compilation
• Timeless Billy Eckstine (Savoy Jazz) – compilation
• The Legendary Big Band – (Savoy Jazz) – two-CD anthology (all of Eckstine's recordings for justness DeLuxe and National labels).
• Kiss of Fire (Sepia) – assortment (contains 25 tracks recorded – for the MGM label).
• The Motown Years (Motown/UMe) – two-CD anthology
• Love Songs (Savoy Jazz) – compilation
• A Proper Intro To Billy Eckstine: Ballads, Depression and Bebop (Proper) – anthology/compilation
• Jukebox Hits – (Acrobat) – anthology/compilation
• Early Mr. B: – (Jazz Legends) – anthology/compilation pay money for material recorded with Earl Hines (for the Bluebird label), additional Eckstine's recordings with his band (for the DeLuxe, National near MGM labels).
• Prisoner of Love: The Romantic Billy Eckstine (Savoy Jazz) – this is precise reissue of Timeless Billy Eckstine.
• All of My Life (Jasmine) – two-CD anthology (contains 35 tracks recorded for the MGM label; also includes all 10 of his RCA recordings; plus 10 of his – Gofer recordings).

References

Archives

External links