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Joe Bushkin

Joe Bushkin, who passed away in November 2004, was a legend in his time. A pianist, composer, arranger and vocalist of superb talents and impeccable taste. A professional for over 70 years, he started at age 15 playing gigs with Benny Goodman, Bunny Berigan and Eddie Condon. Among his many achievements, he had the distinction of accompanying Billie Holiday on her first recording, as a leader, writing Frank Sinatra’s first hit song, “Oh! Look At Me Now” when they were with Tommy Dorsey’s band, and serving as Bing Crosby’s last musical director and playing on his last recording session. In between, he also wrote songs for Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, the Andrews Sisters, Louis Jordan and Nat “King” Cole. After serving in the Army Air Corps in WWII, Bushkin became one of New York City’s most popular nightclub performers, frequently appearing on radio and television in the late 40’s and 50’s. Joe had also enjoyed a prolific recording career, appearing on countless studio sessions and recording dozens of albums as a leader. His series of eight popular “mood albums” with full orchestra for Capital Records in the 1950’s are among the best selling albums ever by a Jazz artist. He also found time to appear as an actor on Broadway in Garson Kanin’s The Rat Race, later reprising his role in the Hollywood movie version. Joe Bushkin’s exuberant piano style was developed in the pioneer days of American Jazz, and he raised the roof of every club and concert hall around the world that was lucky enough to host one of his selectively rare performances. Perhaps the best accolade was delivered by Frank Sinatra, who commented that “one of the things I missed most about leaving Tommy Dorsey’s band was the piano playing of Joe Bushkin!”


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160
Album Review

Joe Bushkin: In Concert Town Hall

Read "In Concert Town Hall" reviewed by David Rickert


Piano jazz is a lot like pizza; even when it's terrible, it's still fairly good. Case in point is Joe Bushkin, a fine pianist for Eddie Condon who later watered down his style to appeal to a mass audience in concerts such as this 1963 performance. One can almost hear more passionate pianists shaking their fist at Bushkin because they are far more deserving of the recognition. To be fair, Bushkin is still a terrific pianist who can ...

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Event

Jack Kleinsinger’s Highlights In Jazz Presents The Joe Bushkin Centennial at 8:00 PM on Thursday, May 4

Jack Kleinsinger’s Highlights In Jazz Presents The Joe Bushkin Centennial at 8:00 PM on Thursday, May 4

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

Jack Kleinsinger’s Highlights In Jazz, New York’s longest running jazz concert series, concludes its record breaking 45th season at 8:00 PM on Thursday, May 4, 2017 at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center at the Borough of Manhattan Community College, 199 Chambers Street, New York City, with The Joe Bushkin Centennial concert, celebrating the rich musical legacy of the legendary pianist/composer with an all-star revue featuring Wycliffe Gordon, Harry Allen, Eric Comstock, John Colliani, Nicki Parrott, Ted Rosenthal, Steve Johns and ...

4

Recording

Trumpeter/Vocalist Bob Merrill Celebrates The Musical Legacy Of Pianist/Songwriter Joe Bushkin With "Tell Me Your Troubles: Songs By Joe Bushkin, Vol. 1," Due May 19 From Accurate Records

Trumpeter/Vocalist Bob Merrill Celebrates The Musical Legacy Of Pianist/Songwriter Joe Bushkin With "Tell Me Your Troubles: Songs By Joe Bushkin, Vol. 1," Due May 19 From Accurate Records

Source: Terri Hinte Publicity

Coinciding with the centennial of pianist/composer Joe Bushkin’s birth, the release on May 19 by trumpeter and singer Bob Merrill of Tell Me Your Troubles: Songs by Joe Bushkin, Vol. 1 (Accurate Records) celebrates the musical legacy of a man who was revered by many of America’s foremost entertainers for his wizardry at the keyboard and skills as a tunesmith. He also happened to be Merrill’s father-in-law. Bushkin penned songs with his longtime lyricist John DeVries or the great Johnny ...

Recording

Joe Bushkin: At the Embers, '52

Joe Bushkin: At the Embers, '52

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

Back in 1952, 161 E. 54th St. was home to the Embers, a Midtown Manhattan restaurant and nightclub that routinely featured jazz musicians and ensembles. Artists tended to play swing standards during their runs there so older patrons would feel at home. Among the great artists who recorded at the Embers were Art Tatum, Buck Clayton, Teddy Wilson, Dorothy Donegan and others. Early in 1952, pianist Joe Bushkin recorded there over a series of days with bassist Milt Hinton and ...

3

Recording

Dot Time Records New Release: Joe Bushkin Quartet "Live At The Embers 1952" - Available September 15, 2016

Dot Time Records New Release: Joe Bushkin Quartet "Live At The Embers 1952" - Available September 15, 2016

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

DOT TIME RECORDS ANNOUNCES NEW RELEASE IN LEGENDS SERIES JOE BUSHKIN QUARTET Live at the Embers 1952 Featuring BUCK CLAYTON, MILT HINTON AND JO JONES Dot Time Records announces the third release of its “Legends" Series, Live at the Embers 1952- The Joe Bushkin Quartet featuring Buck Clayton, Milt Hinton and Jo Jones. One night in early 1952, the violinist David Sarser, who played his prized Stradivarius under Toscanini with the NBC Symphony Orchestra, ...

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Live At The Embers...

Dot Time Records
2016

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In Concert Town Hall

Collectables
2003

buy

Play It Again, Joe

Kedar Entertainment Group
1977

buy

Night Sounds San...

Kedar Entertainment Group
1966

buy

Night Sounds - San...

Kedar Entertainment Group
1966

buy

In Concert, Town Hall

Kedar Entertainment Group
1964

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