Born in Harlem and raised in Queens, Onaje started playing piano at age 7. He graduated from Manhattan’s High School of Music and Art as well as SUNY at Fredonia.
In 1971, a gig with master guitarist Kenny Burrell at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge in Detroit led to recording and sideman gigs with such artists as Norman Connors, Buster Williams, Cecil McBee, Betty Carter and Nat Adderley. He spent 2 years as pianist, composer, arranger in the band led by the late, great trumpeter Woody Shaw.
As a producer/arranger/pianist, Onaje has worked with other artists such as , Billy Cobham, Kevin Eubanks, Will Downing, Angela Bofill, and Cassandra Wilson. Producer of debut albums for vocalists Vanessa Rubin and Gregory Generet and for bassist Kenny Davis whose album featured among others, Geri Allen, Javon Jackson, Billy Kilson and Don Byron.
Signature arrangements: Woody Shaw(Rosewood), Phyllis Hyman (Betcha By Golly Wow and The Answer is You) and for Stanley Jordan (The Lady in My Life).
Solo projects include “Onaje” (Steeplechase – 1976/1995), “That Special Part of Me” (MCA/Zebra – 1988), “Dare to Dream (MCA/Zebra – 1991)”, “Return to Form” (Half Note – 2003), “Remember Their Innocence” (Ejano – 2005), “Sack Full of Dreams” (18th & Vine – 2007) which was a Jazz Improv Magazine pick amongst best albums of 2007 and “Just Like Yesterday” (Pony Canyon – 2010). Onaje composed, arranged and performed the original score for the 1994 Showtime Network film, “Override”, directed by actor/producer Danny Glover. He composed the score for an indie film entitled “Indelible”. Onaje also has gained a lot of satisfaction as one of the instructors at the prestigious Litchfield Jazz Camp in Kent, CT.
Onaje is the featured pianist on Avery Sharpe’s albums, “Dragonfly”(2005), “Legends and Mentors”(2008), “Autumn Moonlight”(2009),”LIVE”(2010), “Running Man” (2011) and Sojourner Truth, Ain’T I A Woman” (2012).
Onaje’s concert presentation called ” New Vintage” features an eclectic performance of Straightahead and Contemporary Jazz, Hip Hop, R&B, Spoken Word, vocals, instrumentals and in some cases, dance movement. He had a very successful one night engagement at the BAM Cafe in April of 2013. He returned for 2 very successful nights in January of 2014.
Onaje composed and performed an original solo piano score for a dance commissioned by NY Live Arts and choreographed by Ms Dianne McIntyre in tribute to a week long retrospective of writer James Baldwin April 26th and 27th of 2014.
A new solo piano project ( actually a never released project from 1985) based on the music of the late, great drummer, composer Ron Shannon Jackson has been released on his Ejano imprint in 2013. There is also a feature on this project and his other projects in the September issue of DownBeat Magazine.
Onaje is a 2006 NAACP Image Award Nominee for Outstanding Jazz Artist for his album, “Remember Their Innocence”.
We are pleased to have Onaje as our guest and talk about his life and his latest release: Bloodlife – A collection of solo performances based on melodies composed by Ronald Shannon Jackson.
This album is an eclectic collection of melodies created by the venerable drummer/composer Ronald Shannon Jackson (1940-2013) and combined with masterful improvisations on solo piano by the Legendary Onaje Allan Gumbs. http://www.onajeallangumbs.com/
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Kristy Love Brooks, singer/songwriter, is no stranger to the limelight as the seasoned performer and all-around entertainer has been a solo RCA recording artist, actress, and dancer singing along with one of the most successful R&B groups, The Platters with an established fan base in the United Kingdom. She is in the eyes of many, a true diva with her reputation in the music industry.
With the release of “Songs of Love and Peace”, Kristy aims to create a new excitement and establish a “peace” movement in the mainstream dance music industry with single “All Over The World”.
Her passionate, unique sound creates a variety of moods and tempos from mainstream dance and jazz to contemporary R&B and music with smooth tones that remind you of Roberta Flack and Sade.
Join your hosts Tania-Maria and Richard-Alan as we meet Kristy Love Brooks!
Chairman/CEO of Tenacious Records, composer, arranger, producer, multi-instrumentalist and actor ALPHONSE MOUZON has been composing and producing beautiful music that has captivated and enthralled audiences throughout the world for over two decades.
His name can be found in almost every Jazz Encyclopedia, dictionary, and is listed in the 2nd edition of Marquis Who’s Who in Entertainment and in the world.
ALPHONSE MOUZON (who is an African American mixed with French and Blackfoot Indian) was born on November 21st in Charleston, South Carolina. He attended Bonds-Wilson High School where he received his early musical training under the direction of saxophonist high school music teacher Lonnie Hamilton III, and took some drum lessons from Charles Garner before playing gigs with the Lonnie Hamilton Band.
Following graduation from high school, he moved to New York to study music and drama at New York City College and medicine at Manhattan Medical School. Mouzon took drum lessons from jazz pianist Billy Taylor’s drummer Bobby Thomas. While attending college, Alphonse played in the pit band of the Broadway show “PROMISES, PROMISES” after being recommended by Bobby Thomas. Mouzon also worked as a medical technologist at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital after graduating from Manhattan Medical School. However his medical career was short lived.
By 1969 his reputation as a player had spread to such an extent that a medical career was no longer attractive. By the early seventies, he had embarked upon a musical journey that would take him to almost every corner of the world and would establish his reputation as one the most creative musician of the era. In 1975 Moizon studied acting at The Lee Strausberg Institute for Actors in Hollywood, California. In 1997 he studied acting with Susan Ricketts and in 1998 Mouzon studied advance voice-overs with Don Pitts at California State University of Northridge.
ALPHONSE MOUZON musical associations read like a veritable Who’s Who of Modern Jazz and Pop Music. His talents cover a broad range of musical disciplines and philosophies. He was the rhythmic foundation for the far reaching musical explorations of pianist McCoy Tyner. He was a charter member along with keyboardist Joe Zawinul and saxophonist Wayne Shorter, of the group Weather Report. Along with guitarist Larry Coryell, Mouzon was co-founder of The Eleventh House, the seminal fusion band of the seventies. Mouzon and Coryell still tour together in a trio and with the Eleventh House.
ALPHONSE MOUZON has also played and/or recorded with Gil Evans, Roy Ayers, George Benson, Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie, Stanley Clarke, Al DiMeola, Les McCann, Ronnie Laws, Klaus Doldinger’s Passport, Jaco Pastorius, Ron Carter, Nathan East, Cecil McBee, Albert Mangelsdorff, Joachim Kuhn, Jasper van’t Hof, Michel Legrand, Stanley Turrentine, Freddie Hubbard, Hubert Laws, Donald Bird, Chet Baker, Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, Ernie Watts, Sonny Rollins, Wallace Roney, Arturo Sandoval, Christian McBride, Kenny Barron, Cedar Walton, George Coleman, John Klemmer, Billy Harper, Dave Grusin, Russ Freeman, George Howard, Kirk Whalum, Jeff Lorber, Kenny G., Joanne Brackeen, Horace Parlan, Robin Kenyatta, Ross Carnegie Orchestra, ex-grilfriend Roberta Flack, Sheila E., Celia Cruz, Gloria Lynn, Gloria Coleman, Denise Williams, Freda Payne, Shirley Scott, Anita O’Day, Betty Davis, and in 1991, he performed with Miles Davis on the movie soundtrack album entitled “Dingo”. MILES DAVIS even spoke highly of Mouzon in his book entitled “Miles – The Autobiography”.
Mouzon has also played with and helped the early careers of Lee Ritenour, David Beniot, Gerald Albright, Sam Riney, Brandon Fields, Greg Karukas, Dave Koz, and Richard Elliot.
Mouzon’s rock/pop credentials include gigs with no less respectable a crew than Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana, Patrick Moraz, Tommy Bolin and Chubby Checker. Robert Plant, lead singer for the legendary rock group Led Zeppelin, named ALPHONSE MOUZON, during his acceptance speech for induction into the 1995 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, one of the band’s major influences .
Besides radio, Mouzon’s music has been aired on CBS, NBC and ABC’s Daytime Television Soap Operas – “ALL MY CHILDREN”, “ANOTHER WORLD”, “AS THE WORLD TURNS”, “DAYS OF OUR LIVES”, “ONE LIFE TO LIVE”, “LOVING”, “GENERAL HOSPITAL”, “GENERATIONS”,
“SANTA BARBARA”, “THE GUIDING LIGHT”, “SUNSET BEACH”, “PASSIONS”, and CBS SPORTS, “LIFE STYLES OF THE RICH AND FAMOUS”, “RUNAWAY WITH THE RICH AND FAMOUS”, “LEEZA”, “HARD COPY”, “ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT”, and many more!
Alphonze Mouzon’s name can be found in just about every Jazz Encyclopedia/ Dictionary, and is listed the 2nd edition of Marquis Who’s Who In Entertainment and Who’s Who In The World. Mouzon was voted the #2 BEST MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST in the 1995 Jazziz Magazine Annual Readers Poll.
In 1992, Alphonse Mouzon formed TENACIOUS RECORDS and in 1992, released his TOP TEN CD entitled “THE SURVIVOR”. Subsequent releases on Tenacious Records “ON TOP OF THE WORLD”, “EARLY SPRING”, “BY ALL MEANS”, “LOVE FANTASY”, “BACK TO JAZZ”, “AS YOU WISH”, “THE NIGHT IS STILL YOUNG”, “THE SKY IS THE LIMIT”, “DISTANT LOVER”, “MORNING SUN” , and “ABSOLUTE GREATEST LOVE SONGS & BALLADS” “LIVE IN HOLLYWOOD”, “JAZZ IN BEL-AIR” were NUMBER ONE, TOP TEN, or TOP TWENTY CDs.
“ANGEL FACE” is the new all-star straight-ahead CD from Alphonse Mouzon featuring Arturo Sandoval, Wallace Roney, Shunzo Ohno, Bob Mintzer, Ernie Watts, Don Menza, Antoine Roney, Charles Owens, Cedar Walton, Kenny Barron, Christian McBride, Henry “ The Skipper” Franklin, Darek Oleszskiewicz, Emma Alexandra Mouzon and composer/arranger/drummer Alphonse Mouzon, who also plays piano and
trumpet on the ANGEL FACE” CD/Album. We are looking forward to meeting Emma as she joins us on our show.
At present, Mouzon performs in Europe and in the U.S. with his trio, quartet, or quintet and as a featured guest artist with other groups. He also
teaches drums at THE ALPHONSE MOUZON INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE DRUM SCHOOL in Northridge, CA. Tel: 818-368-6479.
See ALPHONSE MOUZON along with actor TOM HANKS in the 1996 film “THAT THING YOU DO”. ALPHONSE is acting and playing drums. He also composed the music score for the Blue Spot jazz club scene, in which he plays a smoking drums solo. The acoustic piano melody and solo on “Blue Spot” were also performed (off camera) by Alphonse Mouzon. His music can be heard on the soundtrack for the 1997 film by actress Tisha Campbell called SPRUNG. Mouzon can also be seen in a 2004 movie with Michael Keaton, Margaret Collins, and Katie Holmes called “FIRST DAUGHTER”. Alphonse composed the original music score for the brilliant short film by former jazz critic and now writer/director Dan Margules called BEGLEITER. Mouzon acted in the 2009 feature film by actor/director Robert Davi and Chazz Palminteri called THE DUKES.
Alphonse and his kids released on 2010, a jazz-funk / hip-hop CD call entitled “ THE MAIN ATTRACTION” by his oldest son/Rapper MOUZON (aka Alphonse Philippe Mouzon (Lethal Weapon) featuring Alphonse Mouzon on drums, trumpet, keyboards, bass, guitars along with his daughter pop singer Emma Alexandra Mouzon and Filipino pop singer Sharon T. Alphonse has also produced hip-hop/rap CDs for his youngest son Rapper and U.S. Coast Guardsman Jean-Pierre Mouzon (aka GRIZZLY) on Tenacious Records.
Alphonse, Sr. is producing Jazz, Pop /Dance CDs for his 15 year-old academically & musically gifted daughter -Painter/Actress,/Singer/Violinist/Pianist/Guitarist Emma Alexandra Mouzon, who will be joining us on out show to talk about her projects and her work with her father.
Alphonse is a Christian and always has been a believer in Christ and the Almighty, Omnipotent God! Mouzon is a Prostate Cancer survivor who recommends that every man over 35 years old have a PSA blood test done to make sure cancer is not present. Early detection is a lifesaver!
Hulon released his debut release, First Impressions, via Premier Musique Group (owned by his son, Hulon E. Crayton II) in 2010.
Hulon Crayton – Smooth Jazz Tenor Sax
His first album, First Impressions, peaked at #25 on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Chart in April 2010. First Impressions was produced by noted smooth jazz artist Jeff Kashiwa and included eight original songs co-written by Kashiwa and Hulon, and also features a cover of the song “The Cisco Kid” by the band, War.
The song “Sax on the Beach,” served as the album’s first single and reached #16 on the SmoothJazz.com Top 50 Indie Chart and was featured on the noted jazz website AllAboutJazz.com, in addition to receiving national and international airplay at terrestrial and online radio. The song “Dr. Goodfoot” served as the album’s second single.
Hulon’s second release “After Hours” features Howard Hewitt, Geoff McBride and new radio single, “Do You Fell Me”
Hulon has once again collaborated with mentor, composer, producer and fellow saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa who is world renowned for his years with The Rippingtons.
The new 11 track set released February 7, 2012 includes a vocal and instrumental version of the 1977 Heatwave classic “Always and Forever” and eight originals penned by Kashiwa which play to Hulon’s strengths as a soulful balladeer and a smooth R&B/Funk performer.
Some of our favorites are “You are Beautiful”, “Speak Easy” and the featured radio single, “Do You Feel Me” to name a few. Kashiwa again brought in some of contemporary Jazz’s most powerful and dynamic players to take Hulon’s new musical collection to the next level including drummer Dave Hooper, guitarist Allen Hinds, bass player Melvin Davis and keyboardist Bill Heller, all of whom played key roles on Hulon’s first release.
In addition to his jazz career, Hulon is also a noted entrepreneur and philanthropist. Hulon runs The Arthritis and Infusion Center, a successful medical practice that specializes in the treatment of Rheumatological diseases and disorders as well as sports-related injuries. Hulon.com
My time in the office is devoted to physical healing. But when I’m recording or playing live onstage, that’s when the spiritual healing begins… Hulon
Hulon’s second release is hitting the scene in February and he will be with us to talk about his career and his many projects.
Join us February 26, 2012 at 5:30p Central / 6:30p Eastern and meet Hulon Crayton!
This show will be co-hosted by Chuk Barber. In 1997, Chukinho as he is known by close friends, was called up to the “Big Leagues” to play alongside his musical heroes and is now a member of the 70’s and 80’s Funk/Soul Group WAR now called “The Original Lowriders”. He is also a first time author and has written a wonderful story of strength and determination, entitled “Dear Xango.” I really appreciate him for his work at his school G.R.E.S. Crianças de Zumbi is a Carnival Samba School for Drum and Dance.
Four talented guys from Atlanta, GA. got together and started jamming January of 2010. From the local Georgia scene, the group gained popularity in a very short period and found themselves working in a full production being recorded at Tree Sound Studios with Grammy nominated engineer Miguel Scott and studio owner Paul Diaz.
They have been invited to attend various festivals attracting over 20,000 people and with their soulful rock vibes, the sky is the limit.
Some of the songs I enjoy are: The Siren’s Song, A Vagabond Lovesong, For The Love of one … to name a few, however these are songs from their original recordings.
You can visit their site CopiousJones.com and download their music Free and to support the group and help them keep making this beautiful music, be sure to make a donation.
They are currently recording their first CD project.
Join us January 22, 2012 at 5:30p Central / 6:30p Eastern as we meet the band and talk about their music and future plans.
Doo-Wop originated in the ’40s in African American communities and became maintream in the ’50s and 60’s. The Orioles helped develop the doo-wop sound with their hit “It’s Too Soon to Know” by Deborah Chessler (1948).
Some of the popular groups and their songs:
1954 The Penguins – Earth Angel
1954 The Wrens – Come Back My Love
1955 The Rainbows – Mary Lee
1955 The Valentines – Lily Maebelle
1957 The Monotones – Book Of Love
1957 The Charts – Dance Girl
1958 The Danleers – One Summer Night
1963 The Crystals – Da Doo Ron Ron
To name a few…
The Silhouettes – The Silhouettes were a Philadelphia doo-wop and soul group best known for their self-penned song Get A Job, recorded in 1957 and a number one hit on the R&B and pop charts in 1958.
Photo Courtesy: TheSilhouettes.org
Original Members
Bill Horton (lead, 1956-61, 1980-93)
Raymond Edwards (bass, 1956-61, 1980-93)
Earl Beal (baritone, 1956-68, 1980-93)
Richard Lewis (tenor, 1956-68, 1980-93)
The Philadelphia Tribune 15 March 1958
Gold Record presentation for Get A Job
Viola Williams, Bill Horton, Raymond Edwards,
Dick Clark, Kae Williams, Earl Beal, Rick Lewis
Kae Williams was the group’s first manager and instrumental in getting The Silhouettes on the map with “Get a Job”.
He was a prominent radio personality and the father of our very own D.A. Williams. Click here to listen to our interview with D.A.
The New Silhouettes in 1968
Back: Richard Lewis, Cornelius Brown
Front: Earl Beal, John Wilson
Courtesy of: TheSilhouettes.org
Later Members
John Wilson (lead, 1961-1968)
Cornelius Brown (bass 1961-1968)
Elaine Lewis, widow of Silhouette Rick Lewis was an integral part of the group’s revival in the 1980s and who is now releasing a brand new CD compilation of the groups music.
Elaine was born in Philadelphia, PA. and as a child picked up the guitar right away, parents bought her a uke when she was around 10. She says: “Thanks to Elvis Presley being all the rage. I figured out chords on my own, I later found out that what I was playing were real chords–C, Em, G and so on. Later was given a really cheap guitar with a chord book and learned all the chords from that and I played by ear and played along with the radio and records…”
Elaine Lewis 1964
Courtesy of: TheSilhouettes.org
The CD took a year to complete, and Elaine had material on every kind of medium–records, reel-to-reel tapes, MP3’s, cassette tapes, CD’s, even her phone’s voice mail had material.
The CD is very creative, a fabulous tribute to the group and a wonderful collectors item.
We are honored to have her with us on Sunday, November 6, 2001 at 3PM Pacific /5PM Central/6PM Eastern.
A seminal funk ensemble, the Fatback Band made many great singles through the ’70s and early ’80s, ranging from humorous novelty tunes to energetic dance vehicles and even occasional political/message tracks.
The original lineup featured drummer Bill Curtis, trumpeter George Williams, guitarist Johnny King, bassist Johnny Flippin, saxophonist Earl Shelton, and flutist George Adam. Synthesizer player Gerry Thomas, saxophonist Fred Demerey, and guitarist George Victory were integral parts of the group during their peak years.
They began recording for Perception in the early ’70s, and had moderate luck with “Street Dance” in 1973. They moved to Event in 1974, and while funk audiences loved such songs as “Wicki-Wacky” and “(Are You Ready) Do the Bus Stop,” they didn’t generate much sales action. Their first sizable hit was “Spanish Hustle” in 1976, which reached number 12 on the R&B charts. They shortened their name to Fatback in 1977, and landed their first Top Ten R&B hit with “I Like Girls” in 1978.
Their 1979 single “King Tim III (Personality Jock)” is widely considered the first rap single in many circles. But their biggest year was 1980. They scored two Top Ten R&B hits with “Gotta Get My Hands on Some (Money)” and “Backstrokin’,” their finest tune.
Fatback kept going through the mid-’80s, landing one more Top 20 hit with “Take It Any Way You Can Want It” in 1981. They were backed by the female vocal trio Wild Sugar in 1981-82, and Evelyn Thomas also provided the lead vocal for “Spread Love” in 1985, their last song for Spring. Fatback also recorded a pair of LPs for Cotillion in 1984 and 1985.
~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
Join your host, Tania-Maria Xavier and co-hosts Jay (JaySkills) Snowden, who is a music and executive producer, author of Angels With Broken Wings and Chuk Barber percussionist for The Original Lowriders AKA WAR and author of Dear Xango. We look forward to meeting the band and talking about their career, their new album “Bill Curtis & Friends” and future projects. Join our monthly newsletter!
The Colors of Music – Music show – June 17 @ 10pm EST at BlogTalkRadio.com/ColoredPeople
Franky Gaskin – Jazz guitarist, Multilingual Poet, Composer, and Author. Playing the Bass, Chords, and Melody all at the same time on the guitar and composes in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Arabic, and Hebrew. He is also author of the books, “The Frank Gaskin Method of Guitar Mastery” In English and Spanish, and “Polytonal Superimposition a musical science”.
Bill Curtis’ popular group, The Fatback Band is most known for their Top Ten R&B hits, “(Do The) Spanish Hustle”, “I Like Girls”, “Gotta Get My Hands on Some (Money)”, and “Backstrokin'”. Their 1979 single “King Tim III (Personality Jock)” is considered by many to be the first rap single. We are excited to have them with us for an interview on June 24 right here at BlogTalkRadio.com/ColoredPeople
Hulon – First Impressions is his first CD. During a feature sneak peak of the album on WKGC-FM, J. Harley Pummill said, “when he’s not making people feel better as a doctor, he’s making them feel better listening to his music.” Pummill goes on to add, “I love the first track on it (The Cisco Kid).”
Setra Sundahta – AKA Daughter of the Sun – Upon first listen, one might be tempted to compare Setra to Sade or India Arie because of her sultry vocals and folksy guitar strums or to Carole King for her catchy melodies and clever, magical story telling skills. But then, as one continues to listen, it becomes crystal clear why Girlistic Magazine called Setra’s first CD “must have music.”
Denise Kirkland – Both classy and sassy, Kirkland brings snap, crackle , pop and sizzle to the tradition of jazz, the rambunctiousness of the blues and the slickness of R&B.
Join us as we play my own selections from music groups we have grown to love, these are our very own ColoredPeople.net members:
The Original Lowriders AKA WAR (Chuk Barber – Percussionist/Singer)
In 1997, Chukinho as he is known by close friends, was called up to the “Big Leagues” to play alongside his musical heroes and is now a member of the 70’s and 80’s Funk/Soul Group WAR now called The Original Lowriders.
He is also a first time author and has written a wonderful story of strength and determination, entitled “Dear Xango.” Join us as we chat with Chukinho about his music, his book and his Samba school for children called Criancas de Zumbi.
The Fifth Dimension (Lamonte McLemore – Creator/Singer/Songwriter)
In 1960 Lamonte McLemore and Marilyn McCoo together with Fritz Baskett, Rex Middleton, and Lawrence Summers formed their first group “Hi-Fis”.
In 1964 Ray Charles took them on a tour and he produced a single by the group, “Lonesome Mood”.
In 1967 the now known group The 5th Dimension, consisting of five members, Lamonte McLemore, Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis, Jr., Ron Townson and Florence LaRue, won five Grammy Awards with the song “Up, Up and Away”, a top 10 hit.
Greene sang with Ray Charles’ Raelettes and was the only Raelette to sing at Ray’s funeral.
She is an acomplished songwritter whose credits include “Free”, which she co-wrote for Deneice Williams 1991 “This Is Niecy” album, and “I Can’t Help It” co-written with Stevie Wonder for Michael Jackson’s 1979 “Off the Wall” album.
If that is not impressive enough, she is noted for being the last official member to join Motown group “The Supremes” from 1976-1977 and has been credited for adding a new dimension to the group’s live act with her technical training and five-octave range.
We are honored to have Anita Long as a member of our ColoredPeople network. She is Huey Long’s daughter and the Ink Spots Museum’s curator. Anita invites you to attend a Tribute to her father at the museum on the first week of August.
Huey Long was a native of Sealy, Texas and enjoyed playing the Ukulele. In 1925 he was shining shoes outside the Rice Hotel in Houston when the banjo player for the Frank Davis Louisiana Jazz Band did not show. Long jumped at the chance to fill in where in the past he only had the opportunity to announce the bands. His life was forever changed as he found himself playing in the band with Frank Gibbs on trombone and Punch Miller on trumpet.
In the 30s he migrated to Chicago and with his new instrument, the guitar, he played with Texas Guinan’s Cuban Orchestra under the leadership of violinist Clarence Eddie Moore.
In 1935 Long was an assistant arranger to Zilner Randolph, who had the WPA Concert and Swing Band. In 1936 Long did studio work with Richard M. Jones and his Jazz Wizards when four songs were recorded under the Decca label: “Blue Reefer (Tin Roof) Blues, Muggin’ The Blues, Bring It On Home To Grandma, and I’m Gonna Run You Down.” In same year, he teamed up with Lil Armstrong and also under the Decca label they recorded “My Hi-De-Ho Man”,”Or Leave Me Alone”, “It’s Murder”,”Just For A Thrill”, “Brown Gal”, and “Doin’ The Suzie Q”. In 1937 he joined Jesse Stone’s orchestra, “Chicago”. (Stone is the composer of the 1954 “Shake, Rattle & Roll.”)
During 1939-41, still in Chicago, he was a member of Johnny Long’s Gig Band, featuring the great Joe Williams and on occasion, Dorothy Donnegan on piano and for a brief time, he replaced John Collins when he joined Fletcher Henderson at the Sunset Cafe. In 1942 he moved to NYC where he Joined Earl “Fatha” Hines and played with legendary Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Sarah Vaughan, Billy Eckstein, Budd Johnson.
In 1943 Long had formed his own trio which were regulars at the Three Deuces Cafe on 52nd Street and in 1944 he and Herb Kenny were invited by Bill Kenny to join the Ink Spots. Long would be replacing guitarist Charlie Fuqua and songs such as “If I Didn’t Care”,”I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire”, “Java-Java”, “My Prayer”, “Street of Dreams” “To Each His Own”, “When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano”, and many other songs featured Long’s guitar intros and vocals. He also recorded several songs with the group, including “I’m Gonna Turn Off the Teardrops,” “I’ll Lose a Friend Tomorrow,” “The Sweetest Dream” and “Just for Me.” He left the Ink Spots in 1946.
Later he returned to his first love “Jazz” and joined heavyweight innovators, the “Beboppers” led by Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis (tenor sax), with Fats Navarro (trumpet), Denzil Best (drums), Al Haig (piano) and Gene Ramey (bass). They recorded two sessions: “In the beginning Be bop” and “Nostalgia”
In the 50s Long was a member of the Snub Mosely band and in 1953 he took his own trio on USO tours. In 1955 he moved his family to California and attended Los Angeles City College and majored in music. In the meanwhile, the Ink Spots had broken up and various groups were forming using the same name but with no connection to the original group. In 1960 Long formed his own “Ink Spots” with Orlando Roberson, Adriel Mac Donald and Walter Springer and for two years performed in California as a singer and guitarist.
In the late 60’s he returned to New York, played with singer Margo Richards and in 1965 he opened a music studio in the CBS Building, formerly the Ed Sullivan Theatre and was there for ten years working as a vocal coach, writing and playing on occasional engagements.
Long lived in NYC for 50 years and was also a piano player, but guitar was his signature instrument.
In 1996 he moved back to Houston where with his daughter, Anita Long, opened the Ink Spots Museum on June 19, 2007.
Huey Long had three children while in New York and his wife Louise Long, who he met in Chicago in the 30s, was a journalist and one of the first writers for the New York Defender. Anita and her mom have their works published at the Library of Congress and Anita has fond memories of her mother being an activist and fundraiser benefiting the community. “Mom was a great supporter and influential in my dad’s life.”
Long celebrated his 105th birthday on April 25, 2009 and passed away on June 10, 2009. Anita recalls some of her and her father’s favorite songs being “I’ll see you there”, “I’ll get by” and “If I didn’t care”.
Anita says her dad was a supporter of her singing and she comforted him by singing to him “If I didn’t care” and “Amazing Grace” on his final day.
He is survived by daughter, two sons, and seven grandchildren.
The Ink Spots – If I Didn’t Care From the late 30s to the early 50s the original Ink Spots were one of the most popular and influential singing groups of the time. In 1939 “If I didn’t care” was the Ink Spots’ first million selling record ultimately selling 19 million copies.
The group was originally formed in Indianapolis in 1931 and first members were Orville “Hoppy” Jones (Cello as stand up bass), Ivory “Deek” Watson (Guitar and Trumpet), Jerry Daniels (Guitar and Ukulele) and Charlie Fuqua (Guitar).
The Ink Spots were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as influences, in 1989; this induction consisted of Bill Kenny, Charlie Fuqua, Deek Watson, and Hoppy Jones and in 1999 the group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
Lamonte McLemore, the creator of the vocal group the 5th Dimension and also a member of ColorePeople.net, was the nephew of Bob Benson, the group’s pianist/arranger 1938/40 and the first Ink Spots to pass away.
The Ink Spots Museum website – Be sure to visit the website featuring Huey Long, the last living member of historic 1930’s vocal group which helped build a foundation for the future of Rhythm and Blues.
You are invited to donate to Huey Long’s Memorial Fund and as a thank you for your generosity, Anita will send you one of Mr. Long’s photographs. Please visit museum’s site for more details.
This show is sponsored by DaughterNature.com This blog was created by Tania-Maria Xavier with information provided by: Anita Long
Lamonte McLemore
Ed Astrich
Inkspots.ca
Special thank you to Anita Long, daughter of Huey Long, George V Johnson Jr. blogtalkradio.com/George-V-Johnson Jr., Dr. Larry Ridley Executive Director of the African American Jazz Caucus aajc.us and David Williams Indiana Avenue Music Historian.
BROADCAST CORRECTIONS: 7/4/09 Long had four children and was survived by his daughter and two sons. “If I didn’t Care” was first 1 million seller as a single for there were no albums at the time.
ColoredPeople.net 