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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 ZVINSON, Eddie'Cleanhead' (b 18 Dec. '17, Houston TX; d 2 July '88) Alto sax, blues singer, bandleader: an R&B stalwart also highly regarded in jazz circles; nickname from bald head. Worked with Big Bill Broonzy early '40s; joined Cootie Williams band '42--5, recorded with it on OKeh, Hit, Capitol and regarded as one of the best big-band vocalists of the decade; formed own band '45, recorded for Mercury '45--7, for King '49--52; rejoined Williams for tours '54; recorded for Bethlehem '57; with Cannonball Adderley on Riverside '61; worked with Arnett Cobb '66; recorded for BluesWay '67, Black and Blue in France while touring with Jay McShann, BluesTime '69; often worked with Johnny Otis from '70 incl. Monterey Jazz Festival; appeared at many festivals incl. Ann Arbor, Montreux etc, live portions released on Epic, Flying Dutchman, Buddah, Black Lion. Worked with Count Basie in Europe '72. A powerful singer, infl. by bluesmen and jazz musicians alike. Albums incl. Live At Sandy's and Hold It Right There (also live at Sandy's) with Cobb and Buddy Tate, the Clean Machine (incl. Lloyd Glenn, Rashied Ali), all '78, Cleanhead And Roomful Of Blues '82 and Sings The Blues with Cobb, Tate and Roomful, all on Muse. Also Kansas City Shout with Big Joe Turner and Basie, I Want A Little Girl '81 and Oscar Peterson + Harry Edison + Cleanhead '86, all on Pablo/Fantasy; Cleanhead And Cannonball '61--2 on Landmark. He played on Etta James's The Late Show on Fantasy. Among his best-known tunes is 'Kidney Stew Blues'; Kidney Stew '83 on Southland, Old Kidney Stew Is Fine on Delmark with T-Bone Walker and McShann; compilation of '69--78 French tracks Kidney Stew on Black and Blue, with Walker, McShann, Wild Bill Davis, Lockjaw Davis, Bill Doggett etc. |