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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 ZSULLIVAN, Joe(b 4 Nov. '06, Chicago; d 14 Oct. '71, San Francisco) Pianist, composer. Studied at Chicago Conservatory, worked in vaudeville circuit, then in Chicago through '20s with much radio work, many records as sideman in heyday of Chicago style (see Jazz), worked with bands of Enoch Light, Coon/Sanders, many others. To NYC late '20s, played with Red Nichols, Roger Wolfe Kahn, Red McKenzie, Ozzie Nelson, Russ Colombo; to West Coast, worked as Bing Crosby's accompanist (incl. three films); back to NYC '36 and joined Bob Crosby's band, but had to leave for ten months in a sanitorium with lung trouble. A benefit for Sullivan in Chicago '37 incl. the Crosby band, Roy Eldridge, Johnny and Baby Dodds etc: that's one story; according to Gary Giddins, Bing organized a benefit on the west coast (see his entry). Sullivan rejoined Bob Crosby '39, led own groups at NYC venues, worked with Bobby Hackett, on West Coast, back to NYC at Nick's; lived and worked mostly on West Coast from '50, with long residencies at the Hangover Club in SF, etc. Bob Crosby band reunited for a TV tribute to him '55, he played Monterey Jazz Festival '63. Film work incl. leading sextet recording music for Fight For Life '40. Under his own name he recorded piano solos for Columbia '33, Brunswick '35, Commodore '41; eight sides for Vocalion/OKeh '40 with octet Joe Sullivan and his Caf‚ Society Orchestra; a solo Riverside LP mid-'50s incl. his best-known tunes 'Gin Mill Blues', 'Little Rock Getaway' (both first cut '33), others. LPs on Shoestring were And The All Stars '50 (live concert with small group incl. Hackett) and At The Piano '44 (AFRS transcription solos); CD compilation 1933--41 on Classics. |