Roots Archives Forum

COUNT BASIE:
Bandleader extraordinaire, Basie`s millions of fans testify to the unique quality of his big band sound. Learning piano in Harlem, he went on the road in the `20s, eventually joining Benny Moten`s band. On Moten`s death, Basie formed his own band in 1935. By `37 he was recording for Decca and internationally famous. Basie`s riffing, bouncing rhythm meant that despite the occasional loss of key soloists, his `Sound` was maintained. In the `50s the first tours of Europe cemented a huge following. A gigantic post war discography includes recordings for Columbia, Victor, Clef, Verve and Brunswick.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - APRIL 1974: - PART TWO
Black Music April 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 5

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FONTELLA BASS:
Duets with Bobby McClure and later in `65 a solo "Rescue Me" (Checker) brought stardom for this Chicago soulstress. She had three more hits in `67 with bandleader/producer Oliver Sain and in recent times Fontella had a mini-revival on Paula.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - APRIL 1974: PART TWO
Black Music April 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 5

peace

HAROLDE BATTISTE:
Producer of countless R&B (and pop) sessions in New Orleans and, later, L.A. Owner of A.F.O. Records (who hit with Barbara George). His influence on New Orleans R&B is immense.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - APRIL 1974: - PART TWO
Black Music April 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 5

peace

SIDNEY BECHET:
Born in New Orleans, the first jazz artist to achieve fame through use of the soprano sax, he blew clarinet in a number of historic early bands before moving to Chicago, Paris and even Moscow with Tommy Ladiner. From the `40s he lived in Paris and produced a vast number of albums before his death in 1959.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - APRIL 1974: - PART TWO
Black Music April 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 5

peace

HARRY BELAFONTE:
The first West Indies superstar, the mellow voiced, calypso influenced crooner took the U.S. nightclub scene by storm in the mid fifties with a series of smash hits on RCA like "Jamaica Farewell", "Mary`s Boy Child" and "Banana Boat Song".

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - APRIL 1974: - PART TWO
Black Music April 1974; - Vol. 1 / Issue 5

peace

AL BELL (ALVERTIS ISBELL):
Songwriter/producer whose productions, particularly those with the Staple Singers has shown an inventive fusion of Memphis and Muscle Shoals.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - APRIL 1974: - PART TWO
Black Music April 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 5

peace

ARCHIE BELL & THE DRELLS:
Miami instrumental group who, after years of small-time hustling, smashed to a number one pop hit with "Tighten Up". Soon the group were clocking up a string of hits recorded in Philadelphia with Gamble & Huff, their biggest being "(There`s Gonna Be A) Showdown". Without G & B writing and producing they lost their hit way and are currently Muscle Shoalsing with Glades Records.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - APRIL 1974: - PART TWO
Black Music April 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 5

peace

MADELINE BELL:
Britain`s favourite soul sister, Newark born Madeline Bell first came to the UK as part of Alex Bradford`s "Black Nativity" gospel show, but was soon a top background singer on dozens of hit pop singles and scored a surprise hit in 1968 with "I`m Gonna Make You Love Me". But it was her work with Blue Mink, beginning with "Melting Pot" which made her a star.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - APRIL 1974: - PART TWO
Black Music April 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 5

peace

THOM BELL:
Formally-trained Philadelphian who`s helped add a new sound to black music; `classical soul`. After learning piano, singing with the Romeos and working with Cameo Parkway Records, he produced and wrote for the Delfonics. His teaming with Gamble/Huff as their chief arranger and the string of successes for Jerry Butler, the Stylistics, and Spinners have made him a key figure.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - APRIL 1974: - PART TWO
Black Music April 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 5

peace

WILLIAM BELL:
A sensitive and original soul singer with Stax records since `61. Hits with "You Don`t Miss Your Water", "Tribute To A King" and "I Forgot To Be Your Lover". Has also experienced success as a songwriter often with Booker T. Jones.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - APRIL 1974: - PART TWO
Black Music April 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 5

peace