| EARL
BOSTIC (ARTIST BIOGRAPHY)
Earl Bostic (April 25, 1913 – October 28, 1965) was
an American jazz and rhythm and blues alto saxophonist, a pioneer of
the post-war American Rhythm and Blues style. He had a number of
popular hits such as "Flamingo", "Harlem Nocturne", "Temptation",
"Sleep" and "Where or When", which showed off his characteristic
growl on the horn. He was a major influence on John Coltrane.
Bostic was born in
Tulsa, Oklahoma. He turned professional at age 18 when he joined
Terrence Holder's 'Twelve Clouds of Joy'. He made his first
recording with Lionel Hampton in 1942 where he played along with Red
Allen, J. C. Higginbotham, Sid Catlett, Teddy Wilson and Hampton.
Before that he performed with Fate Marable on New Orleans riverboats.
Bostic graduated from Xavier University in New Orleans. He worked
with territory bands as well as Arnett Cobb, Hot Lips Page, Rex
Stewart, Don Byas, Charlie Christian, Thelonious Monk, Edgar Hayes,
Cab Calloway, and other jazz luminaries. In 1938, and in 1944,
Bostic led the house band at Small's Paradise. While playing at
Small's Paradise, he doubled on guitar and trumpet. During the early
1940s, he was a well respected regular at the famous jam sessions
held at Minton's Playhouse. He formed his own band in 1945, and
turned to rhythm and blues in the late 1940s. His biggest hits were
"Temptation," "Sleep," "Flamingo," "You Go to My Head" and "Cherokee."
At various times his band included Jaki Byard, John Coltrane, Benny
Golson, Blue Mitchell, Stanley Turrentine, Tommy Turrentine, Keter
Betts, Sir Charles Thompson, Teddy Edwards, Tony Scott, Benny Carter
and other musicians who rose to prominence in jazz.
Bostic's King album
titled Jazz As I Feel It featured Shelly Manne on drums, Joe Pass on
guitar and Groove Holmes on organ. Bostic recorded A New Sound about
one month later again featuring Holmes and Pass. These recordings
allowed Bostic to stretch out beyond the 3 minute limit imposed by
the 45 RPM format. Bostic was pleased with the sessions which
highlight his total mastery of the blues but they also foreshadowed
musical advances that were later evident in the work of John
Coltrane and Eric Dolphy.
He wrote arrangements
for Paul Whiteman, Louis Prima, Lionel Hampton, Gene Krupa, Artie
Shaw, Hot Lips Page, Jack Teagarden, Ina Ray Hutton and Alvino Rey.
His songwriting hits
include "Let Me Off Uptown" performed by Anita O'Day and Roy
Eldridge and "Brooklyn Boogie" which featured Louis Prima and
members of the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Bostic's signature hit,
"Flamingo" was recorded in 1951 and remains a favorite among
followers of Carolina Beach Music in South Carolina, North Carolina
and Virginia.
During the early 1950s
Bostic lived with his wife in Addisleigh Park where many other jazz
stars made their home. After that he moved to Los Angeles where he
concentrated on writing arrangements after suffering a heart attack.
Bostic died from a
heart attack in Rochester, New York, while performing with his band
in 1965. That is the story of Earl Bostic, alto sax star of the R &
B years. He is another one of those who never experienced the huge
successes of the music he helped create, but one we are fortunate to
have added his contribution to the music we love.
(info mainly edited
from Wikipedia) |
