Mose Allison, Piano, 1927, Tippo, MS
Allison, who also composes, grew up in the Mississippi Delta region, where boogie-woogie, and the blues were formative influences. He started piano lessons while in the first grade, and by high school he was also playing the trumpet. After military service, Mose studied English at Louisiano State University (BA 1950). He played in a trio which toured Louisiana for a while and then moved to New York with his family. In New York he worked with Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, Gerry Mulligan, and Stan Getz. In the late '50s he recorded seven albums for Prestige. Throughout the '60s and '70s he performed most frequently with a trio, and recorded extensively for Atlantic Records. Allison's songs have become popular because of their ironic, biting wit. He performs in a sophisticated, blues-inflected style. His piano playing reflects his interest in the entire range of jazz styles and in classical music.
Willie Cook, Trumpet, 1923, Tangipahoa, LA
Willie grew up in East Chicago, Indiana, where he studied music in his teens. His first professional job was with Jay McShann in 1941. He next worked with Earl Hines and Jimmy Lunceford's orchestra in 1948. During rhe late '40s he spent time with Dizzy Gillespie and Gerald Wilson. Before ceasing to work as a musician in 1950 he worked for a while as Billie Hiliday's music director. A year later he returned to music, joining Duke Ellington with whom he played until 1958. During the 1960s Willie worked as a freelance with various jazz groups. During the late '60s he again performed with Duke. From 1970 to 1977 he lived in Houston and did not work as a musician. He again returned to music in 1978, working with Clark Terry and Count Basie. He later settled in Sweden where he worked with Swedish groups and visiting American musicians. Cook is an outstanding lead trumpeter and a notable soloist.
Ernestine Anderson, Singer, 1928, Houston, TX
Ernestine began her professional career in the mid '40s, singing with Johnny Otis and Russell Jacquet. During the early '50s, while working with Lionel Hampton's orchestra, she met Gigi Gryce and began recording with his band. In 1956 she spent some time in Sweden where she toured and recorded with Rolf Ericson's group. Back in this country, Ernestine enjoyed a period of success, but around the beginning of the 1960s her popularity began to fade, and she moved to England. She returned to the U.S. in 1945 and made some recordings with Hank Jones, Ray Brown, and Monty Alexander. Ernestine later made a series of recordings for Mercury Records that well represent her refined musical taste
Kahil El'Zabar, Drums, 1952, Great Lakes, IL
