Bill Jennings (guitarist)

Bill Jennings (September 12, 1919 – November 29, 1978) was an American jazz guitarist and composer.[1]

Bill Jennings
Born(1919-09-12)September 12, 1919
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
DiedNovember 29, 1978(1978-11-29) (aged 59)
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
GenresJazz, R&B, soul jazz
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsGuitar
Years active1954–1968
Associated actsJack McDuff, Willis "Gator" Jackson, King Curtis, Louis Armstrong, Bill Doggett, Louis Jordan, Ella Fitzgerald

Career

Recording as both a leader and a sideman, Jennings has been called "the architect of soul jazz" and has influenced on jazz, soul, R&B, and blues guitar. B.B. King often mentioned Jennings as one of biggest influences.[2] Jennings has recorded with many artists including Willis "Gator" Jackson, Brother Jack McDuff, Leo Parker, Bill Doggett, Louis Jordan, King Curtis, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald[3] and unique in his ability to play in many styles, including swing, bop, jump blues, R&B, and pop.[4] Jennings played on "Fever" by Little Willie John, which made the Billboard R&B chart in the US and peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100.[5]

A left-handed player, Jennings played guitar upside down, with the high strings at the top, which gave him a different approach to phrasing and bending the strings.[6] Later in his career he lost a finger on his fretting hand and began playing bass guitar.[7]

Death

Jennings died at Veterans Hospital in Indianapolis on November 29, 1978. He was a United States Navy veteran and a member of the Church of God.[8]

Discography

As leader
  • 1955: Jazz Interlude (King [10" LP]) with Leo Parker
  • 1955: The Fabulous Guitar of Bill Jennings (King [10" LP"])
  • 1956: Mood Indigo [also released as Guitar/Vibes] (King)
  • 1957: Billy in the Lion's Den (King) with Leo Parker; reissue of the 8 tracks from Jazz Interlude with the addition of 4 more.
  • 1959: Enough Said! (Prestige)
  • 1960: Glide On (Prestige)
  • 2013: Architect of Soul Jazz: The Complete Early Recordings 1951–1957 (Fresh Sound) compilation; 2CD
  • 2018: The Complete Bill Jennings on Prestige 1959–1960 with Brother Jack McDuff (Fresh Sound) compilation

Source:[9]

As sideman

With Willis Jackson

With others

References
  1. Rubin, Dave (2007). Inside the Blues: 1942 to 1982 (Updated ed.). Milwaukee, WI: Hal Leonard. ISBN 9781423416661. OCLC 85846467.
  2. "GP Flashback BB King March 1975". GuitarPlayer.com. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  3. "Bill Jennings | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  4. "Bill Jennings and Leo Parker". www.jazzwax.com. Retrieved 2018-02-27.
  5. "Fever (song by Little Willie John)". musicvf.com. Retrieved 2018-02-27.
  6. Friedland, Ed. "Curious Cat". Tucson Weekly. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  7. "Jazz news: Bill Jennings: 'Enough Said'". All About Jazz News. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
  8. "William Jennings". Indianapolis Recorder. December 16, 1978. p. 2.
  9. "Bill Jennings | Album Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  10. "Bill Jennings | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  11. Whitall, Susan, with Kevin John, Fever: Little Willie John's Fast Life, Mysterious Death and the Birth of Soul, Titan Books, London, 2011 pp.73-76
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