Jay McShann Day
January 12, 1916 – December 7, 2006
A birthday tribute to the swing and blues pianist-singer
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Jay McShann (1916-2006) was a triple threat as a blues and swing pianist, a fine singer, and a bandleader.
He was born on Jan. 12, 1916 in Muskogee, Oklahoma, was originally inspired on the piano by Earl Hines, and was a professional working in Oklahoma and Arkansas by the time he was 15.
McShann moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 1936 and the following year put together his big band which became one of the most popular based in Kansas City in the late 1930s.
With the young Charlie Parker on alto and Walter Brown as his blues singer, McShann gained some fame In New York and with his band’s recordings during 1940-44 although, due to the success of “Confessin’ The Blues,” the label mostly wanted the orchestra to record blues rather than some of their arrangements of swing standards.
Other notable members of the big band included bassist Gene Ramey, drummer Gus Johnson, singer Al Hibbler, and tenor-saxophonist Paul Quinichette.
The orchestra broke up in 1944 when McShann was drafted.
When he was discharged, McShann relocated for a time to Los Angeles and led a small group that during 1947-48 featured Jimmy Witherspoon.
Although somewhat in obscurity during the 1950s and much of the ‘60s, McShann continued working and showcasing his classic swing piano.
He began to also sing and in 1966 was heard as a vocalist on records for the first time.
Rediscovered by the late 1960s, McShann kept busy and recorded often during his final 30 years including teaming up on records with Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, T-Bone Walker, violinist Claude Williams, Buddy Tate, Clark Terry, and Duke Robillard, passing away on Dec. 7, 2006 in Kansas City at the age of 90.
Jay McShann is featured on a solo version of “Hootie Blues” probably from the late 1980s.
-Scott Yanow
