Norman Simmons (October 6, 1929[1][2] – May 13, 2021)[3] was an American musician, arranger, composer, educator, and most prominently a pianist who worked extensively with Helen Humes, Carmen McRae, Sarah Vaughan, Anita O'Day, and Joe Williams among others.[4][5]

Biography

Simmons was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 6, 1929.[1] During the early 1950s, he was house pianist at the Beehive Lounge on East 55th Street, playing with visiting musicians such as Wardell Gray, Lester Young and with Charlie Parker on his final Chicago performance in February 1955.[3]

In 1966, his arrangement for Ramsey Lewis' hit of "Wade in the Water" became a large commercial success.[1] He was a member of the Ellington Legacy Band from 2002.[5]

Discography

As leader

As sideman

With Roy Eldridge

With Johnny Griffin

With Red Holloway

With Etta Jones

With Carmen McRae

With Betty Carter

With Harold Ousley

With Anita O'Day

With Scott Hamilton and Warren Vaché

With Clifford Jordan, Von Freeman, Cy Touff, Victor Sproles, and Wilbur Campbell

With Dakota Staton

With Joe Williams

With Al Grey and Bjarne Nerem

As arranger

With Johnny Griffin

With Teri Thornton

References

  1. ^ a b c Wynn, Ron "Norman Simmons biography." allmusic. Retrieved March 1, 2011.
  2. ^ "Norman Simmons biography." Jazz Biographies. Retrieved March 1, 2011.
  3. ^ a b Chinen, Nate (May 13, 2021). "Norman Simmons, Pianist Who Made an Elegant Art Out of Accompaniment, Dies at 91". WBGO. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
  4. ^ Porter, Bob (1981). Helen (LP). Helen Humes. Muse Records. MR 5233.
  5. ^ a b "Piano in the Parlour - Norman Simmons Trio April 11th." Hackettstown Business Improvement District. Retrieved March 1, 2011.

External links

Authority control databases
Categories