Jimmy Rowles
Encyclopedia
Jimmy Rowles (August 19, 1918 – May 28, 1996) was an American
jazz
pianist
who was best known as an accompanist
. He also released a number of albums under his own name, and explored various idioms including swing and cool jazz
.
, Rowles studied at Gonzaga College (now University) in Spokane, Washington. After moving to Los Angeles, he joined Lester Young
's group in 1942. Rowles also worked with Benny Goodman
, Woody Herman
, Les Brown
, Tommy Dorsey
, and Tony Bennett
, and as a studio musician.
In the 1950s and 1960s, he frequently played behind Billie Holiday
and Peggy Lee
, and in the 1980s he succeeded Paul Smith
as Ella Fitzgerald
's accompanist. Rowles had first performed with Fitzgerald at the Mocambo
nightclub in Hollywood, Los Angeles, in late 1956. He had appeared on several recording sessions with her in the 1960s, before joining her for nearly three years in 1981. Rowles appeared on Fitzgerald's final collaboration with Nelson Riddle
, The Best Is Yet to Come in 1982. Fitzgerald recorded Rowles and Johnny Mercer
's song "Baby, Don't You Quit Now" on her final album, All That Jazz, released in 1989.
In 1973, Rowles settled in New York City, where he performed and/or recorded with Zoot Sims
and Stan Getz
, among others.
In 1983, he worked with Diana Krall
in Los Angeles, shortly after she moved from the Berklee College of Music
in Boston. He developed her playing abilities and encouraged her to add singing to her repertoire.
He composed several jazz pieces, the best known being "The Peacocks", which is performed on the alto flute
by Gary Foster on Foster's album, Make Your Own Fun. Rowles also performed on this album. The song is also featured on Foster's Perfect Circularity, and a version with lyrics by Norma Winstone
is performed by Winstone, accompanied by Rowles, on her 1993 album Well Kept Secret, under the title 'A Timeless Place'. Guitarist John McLaughlin also recorded a version of The Peacocks on his 1995 album The Promise.
In 1994 he accompanied jazz singer Jeri Brown on the only album containing only his own compositions, A Timeless Place.
Jimmy Rowles' daughter, Stacy Rowles (September 11, 1955 — October 30, 2009) played the flugelhorn
.
He died from cardiovascular disease
in Burbank, Los Angeles County, California, at the age of 78.
Interviews recorded before Rowles had died appeared in the PBS
Documentary
by Ken Burns
, Jazz in 2001. The interviews were unique in their first-hand accounts of the relationships and experiences Rowles had with many musicians--specifically, Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman and Lester Young
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
who was best known as an accompanist
Accompaniment
In music, accompaniment is the art of playing along with an instrumental or vocal soloist or ensemble, often known as the lead, in a supporting manner...
. He also released a number of albums under his own name, and explored various idioms including swing and cool jazz
Cool jazz
Cool is a style of modern jazz music that arose following the Second World War. It is characterized by its relaxed tempos and lighter tone, in contrast to the bebop style that preceded it...
.
Biography
Born in Spokane, WashingtonSpokane, Washington
Spokane is a city located in the Northwestern United States in the state of Washington. It is the largest city of Spokane County of which it is also the county seat, and the metropolitan center of the Inland Northwest region...
, Rowles studied at Gonzaga College (now University) in Spokane, Washington. After moving to Los Angeles, he joined Lester Young
Lester Young
Lester Willis Young , nicknamed "Prez", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and clarinetist. He also played trumpet, violin, and drums....
's group in 1942. Rowles also worked with Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman
Benjamin David “Benny” Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing".In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America...
, Woody Herman
Woody Herman
Woodrow Charles Herman , known as Woody Herman, was an American jazz clarinetist, alto and soprano saxophonist, singer, and big band leader. Leading various groups called "The Herd," Herman was one of the most popular of the 1930s and '40s bandleaders...
, Les Brown
Les Brown (bandleader)
Les Brown, Sr. and the Band of Renown are a big band that began in the late 1930s, initially as the group Les Brown and His Blue Devils that Brown led while a student at Duke University. He was the first president of the Los Angeles chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences...
, Tommy Dorsey
Tommy Dorsey
Thomas Francis "Tommy" Dorsey, Jr. was an American jazz trombonist, trumpeter, composer, and bandleader of the Big Band era. He was known as "The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing", due to his smooth-toned trombone playing. He was the younger brother of bandleader Jimmy Dorsey...
, and Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett is an American singer of popular music, standards, show tunes, and jazz....
, and as a studio musician.
In the 1950s and 1960s, he frequently played behind Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday was an American jazz singer and songwriter. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and musical partner Lester Young, Holiday had a seminal influence on jazz and pop singing...
and Peggy Lee
Peggy Lee
Peggy Lee was an American jazz and popular music singer, songwriter, composer, and actress in a career spanning six decades. From her beginning as a vocalist on local radio to singing with Benny Goodman's big band, she forged a sophisticated persona, evolving into a multi-faceted artist and...
, and in the 1980s he succeeded Paul Smith
Paul Smith (pianist)
Paul Smith , is a jazz pianist. He has performed in various genres of jazz, most typically bebop. However, he has also performed in cool jazz, swing music, and traditional pop.He was born in San Diego, California...
as Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...
's accompanist. Rowles had first performed with Fitzgerald at the Mocambo
Mocambo
The Mocambo was a nightclub in West Hollywood, California, at 8588 Sunset Boulevard on the Sunset Strip. It was owned by Charlie Morrison and Felix Young.-History:...
nightclub in Hollywood, Los Angeles, in late 1956. He had appeared on several recording sessions with her in the 1960s, before joining her for nearly three years in 1981. Rowles appeared on Fitzgerald's final collaboration with Nelson Riddle
Nelson Riddle
Nelson Smock Riddle, Jr. was an American arranger, composer, bandleader and orchestrator whose career stretched from the late 1940s to the mid 1980s...
, The Best Is Yet to Come in 1982. Fitzgerald recorded Rowles and Johnny Mercer
Johnny Mercer
John Herndon "Johnny" Mercer was an American lyricist, songwriter and singer. He is best known as a lyricist, but he also composed music. He was also a popular singer who recorded his own songs as well as those written by others...
's song "Baby, Don't You Quit Now" on her final album, All That Jazz, released in 1989.
In 1973, Rowles settled in New York City, where he performed and/or recorded with Zoot Sims
Zoot Sims
John Haley "Zoot" Sims was an American jazz saxophonist, playing mainly tenor and soprano.-Biography:He was born in Inglewood, California, the son of vaudeville performers Kate Haley and John Sims. Growing up in a performing family, Sims learned to play both drums and clarinet at an early age...
and Stan Getz
Stan Getz
Stanley Getz was an American jazz saxophone player. Getz was known as "The Sound" because of his warm, lyrical tone, his prime influence being the wispy, mellow timbre of his idol, Lester Young. Coming to prominence in the late 1940s with Woody Herman's big band, Getz is described by critic Scott...
, among others.
In 1983, he worked with Diana Krall
Diana Krall
Diana Jean Krall, OC, OBC is a Canadian jazz pianist and singer, known for her contralto vocals. She has sold more than 6 million albums in the US and over 15 million worldwide; altogether, she has sold more albums than any other female jazz artist during the 1990s and 2000s...
in Los Angeles, shortly after she moved from the Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
in Boston. He developed her playing abilities and encouraged her to add singing to her repertoire.
He composed several jazz pieces, the best known being "The Peacocks", which is performed on the alto flute
Alto flute
The alto flute is a type of Western concert flute, a musical instrument in the woodwind family. It is the next extension downward of the C flute after the flûte d'amour. It is characterized by its distinct, mellow tone in the lower portion of its range...
by Gary Foster on Foster's album, Make Your Own Fun. Rowles also performed on this album. The song is also featured on Foster's Perfect Circularity, and a version with lyrics by Norma Winstone
Norma Winstone
Norma Ann Winstone MBE is a British jazz singer and lyricist. In a career spanning over forty years she is best known for her wordless improvisations....
is performed by Winstone, accompanied by Rowles, on her 1993 album Well Kept Secret, under the title 'A Timeless Place'. Guitarist John McLaughlin also recorded a version of The Peacocks on his 1995 album The Promise.
In 1994 he accompanied jazz singer Jeri Brown on the only album containing only his own compositions, A Timeless Place.
Jimmy Rowles' daughter, Stacy Rowles (September 11, 1955 — October 30, 2009) played the flugelhorn
Flugelhorn
The flugelhorn is a brass instrument resembling a trumpet but with a wider, conical bore. Some consider it to be a member of the saxhorn family developed by Adolphe Sax ; however, other historians assert that it derives from the valve bugle designed by Michael Saurle , Munich 1832 , thus...
.
He died from cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease
Heart disease or cardiovascular disease are the class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels . While the term technically refers to any disease that affects the cardiovascular system , it is usually used to refer to those related to atherosclerosis...
in Burbank, Los Angeles County, California, at the age of 78.
Interviews recorded before Rowles had died appeared in the PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
Documentary
Documentary
A documentary is a creative work of non-fiction, including:* Documentary film, including television* Radio documentary* Documentary photographyRelated terms include:...
by Ken Burns
Ken Burns
Kenneth Lauren "Ken" Burns is an American director and producer of documentary films, known for his style of using archival footage and photographs...
, Jazz in 2001. The interviews were unique in their first-hand accounts of the relationships and experiences Rowles had with many musicians--specifically, Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman and Lester Young
Lester Young
Lester Willis Young , nicknamed "Prez", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and clarinetist. He also played trumpet, violin, and drums....
.
Discography
- Rare, But Well Done with Art MardiganArt MardiganArthur Mardigan was an American jazz drummer.Mardigan played with Tommy Reynolds in 1942 and served in the Army in 1943-44. After his discharge he worked extensively on the New York City jazz scene, playing and recording with Georgie Auld, Charlie Parker, Allen Eager, Dexter Gordon, Kai Winding,...
, Red MitchellRed MitchellKeith Moore "Red" Mitchell Keith Moore "Red" Mitchell Keith Moore "Red" Mitchell (September 20, 1927, New York City - November 8, 1992, Salem, Oregon, was an American jazz double-bassist, composer, lyricist, and poet. He was the brother of Whitey Mitchell....
, 1954 - Let's Get Acquainted with Jazz (For People Who Hate Jazz) with Barney KesselBarney KesselBarney Kessel was an American jazz guitarist born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA. Generally considered to be one of the greatest jazz guitarists of the 20th century, he was noted in particular for his vast knowledge of chords and inversions and chord-based melodies...
, Harold LandHarold LandHarold de Vance Land was an American hard bop and post-bop tenor saxophonist. Land developed his hard bop playing with the Max Roach/Clifford Brown band into a personal, modern style. His tone was strong and emotional, yet displayed a certain fragility that made him easy to...
, Mel LewisMel LewisMel Lewis was an American drummer, jazz musician and band leader. He was born Melvin Sokoloff in Buffalo, New York to Russian immigrant parents....
, Red mitchell, Pete CandoliPete CandoliPete Candoli was an American swing and West Coast jazz trumpeter. He played with the big bands of Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, and many others, and worked extensively in the studios of the recording and television industries...
, Larry BunkerLarry BunkerLawrence Benjamin "Larry" Bunker was an American jazz drummer, vibraphonist, and percussionist. He also played timpani with the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra.-Biography:...
, 1958 - Weather in a Jazz Vane with Jimmy Rowles (piano); Herb Geller (alto saxophone, baritone saxophone); Bill Holman (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Lee Katzman (trumpet); Bob Enevoldsen (valve trombone); Mel Lewis (drums)1958
- Upper Classmen with Larry Bunker, Pete Candoli, Barney Kessel, Harold Land, Mel Lewis, Red Mithchell, 1959
- Fiorello Uptown, Mary Sunshine Downtown, Soloalbum, 1960
- Kinda Groovy, Soloalbum, 1963
- Our Delight with Max BennettMax BennettMax Bennett may refer to:* Max Bennett , ice hockey player who played one game in the National Hockey League*Max Bennett , bassist who has worked with Joni Mitchell and others...
, Chuck Berghofer, Larry Bunker, Nick Martinis, 1968 - Some Other Spring with Donald BaileyDonald BaileySir Donald Coleman Bailey, OBE was an English civil engineer who invented the Bailey bridge. Field Marshal Montgomery is recorded as saying that without the Bailey bridge, we should not have won the war. - Background :...
, Monty BudwigMonty BudwigMonty Rex Budwig was a West Coast jazz double bassist. He was born in Pender, Nebraska. He began playing bass during high school, continuing in the military band while he was enlisted in the Air Force....
, 1972 - Sarah Vaughan with the Jimmy Rowles QuintetSarah Vaughan with the Jimmy Rowles QuintetSarah Vaughan and the Jimmy Rowles Quintet is a 1974 live album by Sarah Vaughan, accompanied by pianist Jimmy Rowles and his quintet.-Reception:...
(with Sarah VaughanSarah VaughanSarah Lois Vaughan was an American jazz singer, described by Scott Yanow as having "one of the most wondrous voices of the 20th century."...
, 1974) - The Special Magic of Jimmy Rowles with Rusty Gilder, 1974
- Jazz Is a Fleeting Moment, Soloalbum, 1974
- Grand Paws with Billy HartBilly HartWilliam "Billy" Hart is a jazz drummer and educator who has performed with some of the most important jazz musicians in history.-Biography:Early on Hart performed in Washington, D.C...
, Buster WilliamsBuster WilliamsCharles Anthony Williams is an American jazz bassist.-Biography:Williams has gained prestige among jazz musicians as a solid supportive player. Since the early 1960s, he has made subtle swing, a precise rhythm and superb technique the landmark of his playing...
, 1976 - Music's the Only Thing That's on My Mind with George MrazGeorge MrazGeorge Mraz is a jazz bassist and alto saxophonist. He was a member of Oscar Peterson's group, and has worked with Stan Getz, Tommy Flanagan, Chet Baker and many other important jazz musicians...
, 1976 - Heavy Love, Soloalbum, 1977
- Scarab, Musica RecordsMusica Records-Discography:...
, 1978 - Nature Boy, Musica, 1978
- We Could Make Such Beautiful Music Together with George Mraz, Leroy WilliamsLeroy WilliamsLeroy Williams is an American jazz drummer.Williams first began playing drums as a teenager in the 1950s. From 1959 to the middle of the 1960s he played with Judy Roberts, and following this he moved to New York City and played with Booker Ervin in 1967...
, 1978 - Isfahan, Soloalbum, 1978
- Shade and Light with George DuvivierGeorge DuvivierGeorge Duvivier was an American jazz double-bass player.Duvivier was born in New York City and took up the cello and also the violin while in high school before settling on the bass. He also learned composition and scoring before going out on the road with Lucky Millinder and then with the Cab...
, Oliver JacksonOliver JacksonOliver Jackson , aka Bops Junior, was an American jazz drummer.Jackson played in Detroit in the 1940s with Thad Jones, Tommy Flanagan, and Wardell Gray, and had a variety show with Eddie Locke called Bop & Locke...
, 1978 - Jimmy Rowles Trio on Tour [live] with George Duvivier, Walter PerkinsWalter PerkinsWalter "Baby Sweets" Perkins was an American jazz drummer.Starting out as a fixture in the Chicago jazz scene, Perkins' first major gigs were with Ahmad Jamal in 1956-57...
, 1978 - Tasty! with Ray BrownRay Brown (musician)Raymond Matthews Brown was an American jazz double bassist.-Biography:Ray Brown was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and had piano lessons from the age of eight. After noticing how many pianists attended his high school, he thought of taking up the trombone, but was unable to afford one...
, 1979 - Paws That Refresh with Billy HartBilly HartWilliam "Billy" Hart is a jazz drummer and educator who has performed with some of the most important jazz musicians in history.-Biography:Early on Hart performed in Washington, D.C...
, Buster WilliamsBuster WilliamsCharles Anthony Williams is an American jazz bassist.-Biography:Williams has gained prestige among jazz musicians as a solid supportive player. Since the early 1960s, he has made subtle swing, a precise rhythm and superb technique the landmark of his playing...
, 1980 - Plays Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, Soloalbum, 1981
- Bill Evans: A Tribute, 1982, Palo Alto RecordsPalo Alto RecordsPalo Alto Records was a jazz record label that released most of its discography in the 1980s. The label was founded in 1981 by Jim Benham, who was a Palo Alto, California resident. The artistic director was Herb Wong. In 1985 the company ceased its activities...
- The Peacocks with Stan GetzStan GetzStanley Getz was an American jazz saxophone player. Getz was known as "The Sound" because of his warm, lyrical tone, his prime influence being the wispy, mellow timbre of his idol, Lester Young. Coming to prominence in the late 1940s with Woody Herman's big band, Getz is described by critic Scott...
, Michael Moore, Michael HashimMichael HashimMichael James Hashim is an American jazz alto saxophonist.Hashim began playing saxophone while in elementary school, playing with Phil Flanigan and Chris Flory as a high schooler. He worked with both into the middle 1970s, and in 1976 he toured with Muddy Waters and played with the Widespread...
, Joey BaronJoey BaronJoey Baron is an American avant-garde jazz drummer probably best known for his work with Bill Frisell, Stan Getz, Steve Kuhn, and John Zorn...
, 1983 - I'm Glad There Is You: Jimmy Rowles, Vol. 2 with Colin BaileyColin BaileyColin James Bailey is a jazz drummer.Born in Swindon, England, Bailey learned to play drums as a child, studying formally from age seven. He lived in Australia from 1958 into the early 1960s, and played with Bryce Rohde and the Australian Jazz Quartet during this time...
, Red Mitchell, Stacy Rowles, 1985 - With the Red Mitchell Trio with Colin Bailey, Red Mitchell, Stacy Rowles, 1985
- Sometimes I'm Happy, Sometimes I'm Blue with Donald BaileyDonald BaileySir Donald Coleman Bailey, OBE was an English civil engineer who invented the Bailey bridge. Field Marshal Montgomery is recorded as saying that without the Bailey bridge, we should not have won the war. - Background :...
, Ray BrownRay Brown (musician)Raymond Matthews Brown was an American jazz double bassist.-Biography:Ray Brown was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and had piano lessons from the age of eight. After noticing how many pianists attended his high school, he thought of taking up the trombone, but was unable to afford one...
, Sweets EdisonSweets EdisonHarry "Sweets" Edison , born in Columbus, Ohio, was an American jazz trumpeter and member of the Count Basie Orchestra.-Biography:He spent his early childhood in Kentucky, where he was introduced to music by an uncle...
, Stacy Rowles, 1988 - Trio with Red mitchell, Donald Bailey, 1988
- Plus 2, Plus 3, Plus 4 with Bill Berry, Larry Koonse, Ralph Penland, Eric Van Essen, 1988
- Lilac Time with Eric Von Essen, Kokopelli RecordsKokopelli RecordsKokopelli Records was a record label established by jazz flautist Herbie Mann during the 1990s. Mann had previously established Embryo Records during his tenure at Atlantic Records.-Discography:*1994: Deep Pocket - Herbie Mann...
, 1994