1000 Giants Of Black Music

[stepping razor]

OSCAR BROWN Jr.:
Jazz vocalist/songwriter whose finger snapping sophisticated sytle of the 50`s & 60`s is now getting funkier with Atlantic Records.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - MAY 1974: - PART THREE
Black Music May 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 6

peace

[stepping razor]

DONALD BYRD:
Jazz trumpet giant whose vast experience in recording (30 albums of his own and countless sessions with others) has taken him from hard bop to experimental free-jazz to the funky, soul-influenced, best seller "Black Byrd".

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - MAY 1974: - PART THREE
Black Music May 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 6

peace

[stepping razor]

RUTH BROWN:
Through the 50`s Ruth reigned supreme as queen of the rhythm and blues packages touring the ghettos. Her hits were numerous and her part-blues, part-jazz, part-pop approach enebled songs like "Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean", to cement Atlantic`s hold on R&B recording in the 50`s. Despite some minor hits on Philips, she faded in the `60s but has since established herself as a nightclub and jazz singer.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - MAY 1974: - PART THREE
Black Music May 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 6

peace

[stepping razor]

RAY BRYANT:
A jazz pianist whose occasional flirtations with soul have not really brought him to a mass audience. Played with a heap of greats, including Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and many more. Backed Aretha Franklin on her first live album for CBS.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - MAY 1974: - PART THREE
Black Music May 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 6

[stepping razor]

SOLOMON BURKE:
The Wonder Boy Preacher of the `50s became the King Of Rock And Soul of the 60`s. His hits, all with Atlantic, began in `61 with "Just Out Of Reach" and throughout the 60`s he was a regular chart-maker. His intense preaching style helped shape the style of soul music which had taken over from the old R&B. His career began to wane in `69 despite having a big hit with "Proud Mary" (on Bell), and recently, despite becoming involved in production with MGM records, his name means little to the new soul music audience.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - MAY 1974: - PART THREE
Black Music May 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 6

peace

[stepping razor]

HAROLD BURRAGE:
Chicago singer/pianist whose raunchy blues and ballads proved quite successful throughout the fifties for Cobra and VeeJay. In the sixties he became a staff producer with One-Derful Records until his death in 1968.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - MAY 1974: - PART THREE
Black Music May 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 6

peace

[stepping razor]

KENNY BURRELL:
Detroit born, New York based jazz guitarist and session man of exceptional virtuosity his lightning, finger busting solos have been heard on a countless number of discs.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - MAY 1974: - PART THREE
Black Music May 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 6

peace

[stepping razor]

BILLY BUTLER:
Brother of Jerry, his biggest record was the Chicago dancer "I Can`t Work No Longer" (Okeh), accompanied by his group, the Chanters. In recent times he`s scored some soul success on Memphis Records.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - MAY 1974: - PART THREE
Black Music May 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 6

peace

[stepping razor]

GEORGE BUTLER:
Adept at making jazz artists appeal to the soul market, notably with Donald Byrd and Lou Donaldson on Blue Note.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - MAY 1974: - PART THREE
Black Music May 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 6

peace

[stepping razor]

JERRY BUTLER:
Started with the Impressions in `58, Chicagoan Jerry immortalised the lovely "For Your Precious Love" before going solo. His hits with Vee Jay in the early sixties (often produced or written by Curtis Mayfield) were mainly soulful ballads sporting a vaguely Eckstine-ish approach. Hits like "He Will Break Your Heart" (`60), "Moon River" (`61), "Need To Belong" (`63) continued until VJ went bust in `66 and he joined Mercury. After teaming with Philly producers Gamble & Huff "The Iceman" had another impressive string of hits, till he formed his own production company. He recently scored a gold disc with Brenda Lee Eager ("Ain`t Understanding Mellow") and seems likely to continue hitting with his brand of cool soul for years yet.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - MAY 1974: - PART THREE
Black Music May 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 6

peace