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Eddie Jefferson

Although there were a couple obscure early examples (Bee Palmer in 1929 and Marion Harris in 1934, both performing “Singing the Blues”), Eddie Jefferson is considered the founder, and premier performer of vocalese, the art of taking a recording and writing words to the solos, which Jefferson was practicing as early as 1949. Eddie Jefferson’s first career was as a tap dancer but in the bebop era he discovered his skill as a vocalese lyricist and singer. He wrote lyrics to Charlie Parker’s version of “Parker’s Mood” and Lester Young’s “I Cover the Waterfront” early on, and he is responsible for “Moody’s Mood for Love” (based on James Moody’s alto solo on “I’m in the Mood for Love”). King Pleasure recorded “Moody’s Mood for Love” before Jefferson (getting the hit) and had his own lyrics to “Parker’s Mood,” but in time Jefferson was recognized as the founder of the idiom. Jefferson worked with James Moody during 1955-1957 and again in 1968-1973 but otherwise mostly performed as a single. He first recorded in 1952 (other than a broadcast from 1949) and those four selections are on the compilation The Bebop Singers. During 1961-1962 he made a classic set for Riverside that is available as Letter from Home and highlighted by “Billie’s Bounce,” “I Cover the Waterfront,” “Parker’s Mood,” and “Things Are Getting Better.” Jefferson recorded a pair of albums for Prestige during 1968-1969. Body and Soul includes “So What” (the original Miles Davis version), “Body and Soul” (paying tribute to Coleman Hawkins), “Now’s the Time” and some current material such as “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy.” Come Along with Me is highlighted by “The Preacher,” “Yardbird Suite,” and “Baby Girl” (based on Lester Young’s “These Foolish Things”). Eddie Jefferson, who worked with Richie Cole in the late 1970s, was having a revival of his career when he was shot to death in 1979 outside of a Detroit club.


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237
Profile

Eddie Jefferson: The Scientist of Vocalese

Read "Eddie Jefferson: The Scientist of Vocalese" reviewed by Ed Hamilton


Detroit once had a reputation as the “Killer Kapital," but things have changed--Dave Bing, basketball Hall of Famer is Mayor and is striving to clean up the city. But 32 years ago, actress Brenda Vaccarro and altoist Richie Cole witnessed the drive-by shotgun slaying of the architect of Vocalese, Eddie Jefferson, at Bakers' Lounge. Jefferson was shot and killed May 8, 1979, walking out of the venue, after playing a set with co-leader Cole. Vocalese was first created ...

235
Album Review

Eddie Jefferson: Vocal Ease

Read "Vocal Ease" reviewed by Jim Santella


Writing lyrics to fit transcribed jazz solos note for note, Eddie Jefferson founded vocalese in the late 1940s. His lyrics contained a contextual message about the referenced artist, which he performed, to the accompaniment of a small ensemble. The singer’s “Parker’s Mood" salute to Bird and his “I Cover the Waterfront" salute to Pres were recorded in 1949. But it was King Pleasure who captured the public’s ear, singing Jefferson’s “Moody’s Mood for Love" and “Parker’s Mood" a few years ...

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206

Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Bela Fleck and the Africa Project; a Tribute to Eddie Jefferson; Jan Shapiro; Matt Wilson; Ntozake Shange and Hamiet Bluiett; and More

Jazz This Week: Bela Fleck and the Africa Project; a Tribute to Eddie Jefferson; Jan Shapiro; Matt Wilson; Ntozake Shange and Hamiet Bluiett; and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

There's lots going on in St. Louis over the next few days with regard to jazz and creative music, so let's go right to the highlights, starting with tonight when the much-anticipated Bela Fleck and the Africa Project tour comes to the Sheldon Concert Hall. For more on the Africa Project, see this article that I wrote for last week's Riverfront Times. Also, new this week, Playback STL's Amy Burger has a piece on the show here.Next up ...

235

Video / DVD

STLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Previewing "The Genius of Eddie Jefferson"

STLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Previewing "The Genius of Eddie Jefferson"

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

Today, we've got a wealth of material related to “The Genius of Eddie Jefferson", a tribute to the late jazz singer starring vocalists Allan Harris and Carla Cook and pianist Eric Reed that will be performed here in St. Louis starting Wednesday, April 1 through Saturday, April 4 at Jazz at the Bistro.Jefferson, who was born August 3, 1918, first gained wide public recognition thanks to “Moody's Mood For Love," a lyric he wrote to a ...

187

Music Industry

Jazz St. Louis Offering 2-for-1 Deal on Tickets for Eddie Jefferson Tribute

Jazz St. Louis Offering 2-for-1 Deal on Tickets for Eddie Jefferson Tribute

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

Via a local email list, Jazz St. Louis is offering two tickets for the price of one for a performance of “The Genius of Eddie Jefferson" next week at Jazz at the Bistro. The tribute to the late jazz singer Jefferson (pictured), who is credited as one of the inventors of vocalese, will feature pianist Eric Reed and singers Carla Cook and Allan Harris, and runs next from Wednesday, April 1 through Saturday, April 4 at the Bistro.Tickets ...

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Performance / Tour

Allan Harris Pays Tribute to the Genius of Eddie Jefferson at J@LC

Allan Harris Pays Tribute to the Genius of Eddie Jefferson at J@LC

Source: Impress Media - Jennifer Niederhoffer

Harlem-based vocalist joins Eric Reed and Carla Cook for November 9 and 10 concerts Allan Harris will join the Eric Reed Trio and singer Carla Cook at The Allen Room, Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, on Broadway at 60th St., New York City. on November 9 and 10 at 7:30pm and 9:30pm. These events, dubbed “The Genius of Eddie Jefferson" are to celebrate the creator of vocalese, where a singer puts words to an instrumental ...

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Event

The Genius of Eddie Jefferson - Jazz at Lincoln Center - Nov. 9 & 10

The Genius of Eddie Jefferson - Jazz at Lincoln Center - Nov. 9 & 10

Source: All About Jazz

The Genius of Eddie Jefferson Featuring the Eric Reed Trio with Guest Vocalists Carla Cook and Allan Harris November 9 & 10, 2007 - The Allen Room - Jazz at Lincoln Center WHO/WHAT: The Genius of Eddie Jefferson celebrates the creator of vocalese, where a singer puts words to an instrumental composition or solo. Led by Eric Reed (piano), the Eric Reed Trio consists of Gerald Cannon (bass) and Willie ...

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Vocal Ease

Repertoire Records
1999

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The Live-Liest

Repertoire Records
1979

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The Main Man

Repertoire Records
1977

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Still On The Planet

Repertoire Records
1976

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The Jazz Singer

Repertoire Records
1976

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