Jimmy Rushing, Singer, 1903, Oklahoma City, OK
Jimmy, (known as Mr. Five by Five, because of his build), was born into a talented musical family. His father played trumpet, and his mother and brother were singers. Jimmy was trained on piano and violin as well as voice. In the mid '20s he worked all over the Mid West and even in California. He worked with several touring shows before finally joining Walter Pages' Blue Devils in the mid '20s. From 1929 to 1935 Jimmy appeared with, and became a popular member of Benny Moton's Kansas City Orchestra. With the experience he had gained by working with these bands he developed a mature singing style that was a natura with the rhythms of jazz. He first achieved significant fame while working with the Count Basie band in 1935. His excellent intonation and robust, yet sensitive manner, perfectly complimented the group and helped to shape the identity of the Count's orchestra. Jimmy worked with Basie until around 1950, and thereafter worked with his own group and as a soloist. He made several highly successful foreign tours with several bands, including those of Buck Clayton, Basie, Eddy Condon, and Benny Goodman. Jimmy Rushing died in 1972.
Peter Appleyard, Vibes, 1928, Cleethorpes, Eng.
Peter was born in England, and moved first to Bermuda, then to Toronto. His first professional work was as a drummer in English dance bands. He then worked with orchestras of the Royal Canadian Air Force. After his move to Toronto, Peter took up the vibraphone. He worked in night-clubs and in radio and television with Calvin Jackson and others, and in 1957 began leading his own group. He toured occasionally with Benny Goodman ,and in the early 1970s took part in the recording of "On Stage With Benny Goodman And His Sextet". In Canada he also recorded several albums of his own that enjoyed moderate success. Peter was also the host of a television series, "Peter Appleyard Presents". He later performed with Peanuts Hucko, and in 1985 formed a band of former Goodman sidemen. Today, Peter Appleyard performs frequently in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
Branford Marsalis, Tenor Sax, 1960, Breaux Bridgem LA
Branford is the brother of Wynton Marsalis, and his father, Ellis Marsalis, was a pianist in the New Orleans modern bop movement and is a prominent teacher in the New Orleans area. The youngest member of this musical family is Delfeayo, a popular trombonist. Branford attended Southern University for a year, studying with Alvin Batiste. He then attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston for several years. After graduating from Berklee he worked for half a year with his brother Wynton, as a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, and later toured with Clark Terry's orchestra. He next spent three years as a member of Wynton's quintet, during which time he also managed to record with Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis (he was a member of Davis's group in 1984-85). In 1985 Branford was a founding member of a group led by the English rock star, Sting, which played a combination of rock, jazz, and soul. Branford then played with his own quartet, achieving popular acclaim with a video of his bop version of "Royal Garden Blues", in which he performed on the soprano sax. A few years later he renewed his association with Sting for additional recording and touring. Marsalis is a versatile and skillful performer with a highly developed technique (he has also given classical performances with the English Chamber Orchestra); although initially overshadowed by his brother, he has become a major figure in his own right.
