Earl Washington (musician)
Encyclopedia
Earl "The Ghost" Washington (April 3, 1921, Chicago, Illinois – June 18, 1975) was a jazz pianist.
, as did his siblings. As a one-hundred and forty pound 14-year-old teen, Washington captured a Chicago Boxing Golden Glove Title.
Also as a teen, in high school, Washington wanted to play jazz on the piano. But his mother, Nettie Graham, made him take private classical lessons with the family music teacher, Dr. Walter Dellers, Professor of Music at the Chicago Academy of Music. Deller advised Nettie not to change his hand coordination that was so envied by most jazz musicians of the era. After high school Washington attended the Chicago and Boston conservatories of music earning both a Bachelor of Arts and Masters Degree.
World War II
was declared and Washington serviced in the United States Navy
, a rank Seaman II. He joined the Chicago Musicians' Union
Local 10-208 after his time in the military ended on November 15, 1945.
' Band in 1947 at the popular nightclub Club DeLisa
, where he remained until the early 1950s. On leaving Saunder's band, Washington worked in the recording studios of Chicago, Detroit and New York City. He wrote music for Motown artists and recorded scores and jingles (television/radio theme songs) with Chicago’s jazz pioneer/innovator Quincy Jones
and nationally known Chicago disc jockey Herb Kent on Chicago's WVON Radio.
While representing the Motown jazz imprint and releasing a couple LPs, on its sub-label Workshop Jazz Motown, Washington worked as a featured artist at Chicago's Blue Note Club, the Gaslight Club and the Playboy Club.
Before his death, Washington worked at the The Inn Place, taught private jazz-piano lessons and lectured on "The History of Jazz" at Indiana University
.
Washington's nickname, "The Ghost," stuck when an out-of-town musician sat in on a session with the Red Saunders Band at the Club DeLisa and asked, "Who's that Cat in the corner playing the piano?"—"He look just like a ghost!"—because Washington's light-skin complexion seem to glowed in the part of the stage where the band performed.
He was married to Dorothy Jean Washington for 20 years before his death on June 18, 1975. Together they raised six sons.
Early life
Washington grew up with his brothers and sisters, in the small community of Morgan Park, on Chicago’s far southwest side. He graduated from Morgan Park High SchoolMorgan Park High School
Morgan Park High School , located in Chicago, Illinois, at the intersection of 111th street and Vincennes Avenue is a public high school that opened its doors on its present site in 1916, as part of the Chicago Public Schools...
, as did his siblings. As a one-hundred and forty pound 14-year-old teen, Washington captured a Chicago Boxing Golden Glove Title.
Also as a teen, in high school, Washington wanted to play jazz on the piano. But his mother, Nettie Graham, made him take private classical lessons with the family music teacher, Dr. Walter Dellers, Professor of Music at the Chicago Academy of Music. Deller advised Nettie not to change his hand coordination that was so envied by most jazz musicians of the era. After high school Washington attended the Chicago and Boston conservatories of music earning both a Bachelor of Arts and Masters Degree.
World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
was declared and Washington serviced in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, a rank Seaman II. He joined the Chicago Musicians' Union
Musicians' Union
Organizations calling themselves the Musicians' Union include:*Musicians' Union *Musicians' Union *Several locals of the American Federation of Musicians, e.g. Musicians' Union Local No. 6 San Francisco*Musicians Union of South Africa...
Local 10-208 after his time in the military ended on November 15, 1945.
Career
Washington joined Red SaundersRed Saunders (musician)
Theodore Dudley "Red" Saunders was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. He also played vibraphone and timpani....
' Band in 1947 at the popular nightclub Club DeLisa
Club DeLisa
The Club DeLisa, also written Delisa or De Lisa, at State Street and Garfield Avenue, on the South Side, was an important nightclub and music venue in Chicago....
, where he remained until the early 1950s. On leaving Saunder's band, Washington worked in the recording studios of Chicago, Detroit and New York City. He wrote music for Motown artists and recorded scores and jingles (television/radio theme songs) with Chicago’s jazz pioneer/innovator Quincy Jones
Quincy Jones
Quincy Delightt Jones, Jr. is an American record producer and musician. A conductor, musical arranger, film composer, television producer, and trumpeter. His career spans five decades in the entertainment industry and a record 79 Grammy Award nominations, 27 Grammys, including a Grammy Legend...
and nationally known Chicago disc jockey Herb Kent on Chicago's WVON Radio.
While representing the Motown jazz imprint and releasing a couple LPs, on its sub-label Workshop Jazz Motown, Washington worked as a featured artist at Chicago's Blue Note Club, the Gaslight Club and the Playboy Club.
Before his death, Washington worked at the The Inn Place, taught private jazz-piano lessons and lectured on "The History of Jazz" at Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
.
Washington's nickname, "The Ghost," stuck when an out-of-town musician sat in on a session with the Red Saunders Band at the Club DeLisa and asked, "Who's that Cat in the corner playing the piano?"—"He look just like a ghost!"—because Washington's light-skin complexion seem to glowed in the part of the stage where the band performed.
He was married to Dorothy Jean Washington for 20 years before his death on June 18, 1975. Together they raised six sons.
Discography
- 1964 - Reflections - with Israel CrosbyIsrael CrosbyIsrael Crosby was an African-American jazz double-bassist born in Chicago, Illinois, best known as member of the Ahmad Jamal trio from 1957-1962...
and Vernel FournierVernel fournierVernel Anthony Fournier and, from 1975, known as Amir Rushdan, was a jazz drummer probably best known for his work with Ahmad Jamal from 1956 to 1962....
(liner notesLiner notesLiner notes are the writings found in booklets which come inserted into the compact disc jewel case or the equivalent packaging for vinyl records and cassettes.-Origin:...
by Johnny PateJohnny PateJohnny Pate is a jazz bassist who late became a music arranger/producer, and a leading figure in Chicago soul as well as pop/R&B music....
)