Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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HEYWOOD, Eddie Jr

(b 4 Dec. '15, Atlanta GA; d 2 Jan. '89, Miami Beach) Pianist, composer, arranger. Father Eddie Sr was well-known bandleader, as was uncle LeRoy Smith. (Eddie Sr also accompanied blues singers on piano and violin; Eddie Heywood And The Blues Singers Vols 1 And 2 on Document incl. vocals by Doc Dasher, Waymon 'Sloppy' Henry, Annie Summerford, Guildford Peachtree Payne and others.) Eddie Jr played with Wayman Carver, Benny Carter, Don Redman, others; formed own sextet '41 in NYC, later worked in California, appeared in a couple of films incl. good thriller The Dark Corner '46: soundtrack incl. 'Heywood Blues'; group was also well-known for his arr. of 'Begin The Beguine', made on a 12]im[ 78 for Commodore, then a 10]im[ for Decca. At Commodore '44 and in clubs his band also accompanied Billie Holiday. Stopped playing because of partial paralysis of hands; resumed '50, continued veering towards pop: composed 'Canadian Sunset' and played on huge hit record by Hugo Winterhalter '56; it resembled the rocking beat he'd invented for 'Beguine'. Had to quit playing again late '60s but resumed '72; received awards from hometown radio station and from BMI incl. one for a million broadcast performances of 'Sunset'; prod. Swing Era revival LPs for Time-Life. Compilation The Biggest Little Band Of The Forties on Commodore.