August 11, 1904 – January 1, 1995

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Pianist Jess Stacy was born on August 11, 1904, in Bird’s Point, Missouri.

Was a masterful jazz pianist whose lyrical touch and refined swing style made him a standout in the big band era. Born in Missouri, Stacy began his career in the early 1920s, playing in riverboat bands along the Mississippi before making his way to Chicago’s thriving jazz scene. There, he absorbed the influences of pioneers like Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines, shaping his elegant, understated approach.

Stacy rose to prominence as the pianist for the Benny Goodman Orchestra during the height of the Swing Era. His career-defining moment came at the legendary 1938 Carnegie Hall concert, where his unexpected, impressionistic solo on “Sing, Sing, Sing” stunned audiences and remains one of jazz’s most iconic performances.

He later worked with other big names like Bob Crosby and Tommy Dorsey, and was named Best Pianist by DownBeat magazine in 1940. Though he stepped away from music in the 1950s, Stacy returned in the 1970s to renewed acclaim.

A subtle yet powerful force in jazz, Jess Stacy’s graceful phrasing and harmonic depth left a lasting impression on the art of swing piano.

This video features Jess Stacy, performing “Complainin'” with the Bob Cats in 1951.

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