American jazz guitarist and composer (1919–1978)
Bill Jennings |
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| Born | (1919-09-12)September 12, 1919
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
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| Died | November 29, 1978(1978-11-29) (aged 59)
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
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| Genres | Jazz, R&B, soul jazz |
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| Occupation(s) | Musician |
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| Instrument(s) | Guitar |
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| Years active | 1954–1968 |
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Musical artist
Bill Jennings (September 12, 1919 – November 29, 1978) was an American jazz guitarist and composer.[1]
Career
Recording as both a leader and a sideman, Jennings has been called "the architect of soul jazz" and has influenced on jazz, soul, R&B, and blues guitar. B.B. King often mentioned Jennings as one of his biggest influences.[2] Jennings recorded with such artists as Willis "Gator" Jackson, Brother Jack McDuff, Leo Parker, Bill Doggett, Louis Jordan, King Curtis, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald[3] and unique in his ability to play in many styles, including swing, bop, jump blues, R&B, and pop.[4] Jennings played on "Fever" by Little Willie John, which made the Billboard R&B chart in the US and peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100.[5]
A left-handed player, Jennings played guitar upside down, with the high strings at the top, which gave him a different approach to phrasing and bending the strings.[6] Later in his career, he lost a finger on his fretting hand and began playing bass guitar.[7]
Death
Jennings died at Veterans Hospital in Indianapolis on November 29, 1978. He was a United States Navy veteran and a member of the Church of God.[8]
In 2023 the Killer Blues Headstone Project placed a headstone for Bill Jennings at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana.[9]
