|
Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZDAVIS, Wild Bill(b William Strethen Davis, 24 Nov. '18, Glasgow MO; d 22 Aug. '95) Organ, piano. Pianist, arr. with Louis Jordan '45--8; began to play Hammond organ '49, started trend more popular in rhythm and blues than in jazz. Led trio with guitar, drums from '50s (annual summer appearance at Little Belmont in Atlantic City NJ for about 30 years); arr. of 'April In Paris' for Count Basie '56 featured same muscular chordal drive as on Davis's organ playing, made no. 28 pop chart; records with Johnny Hodges in '60s; worked with Duke Ellington '69--70, effective contribution on first movement of Duke's New Orleans Suite '70. Many earlier records with Arnett Cobb, Illinois Jacquet, Buddy Tate etc all out of print. |