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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 ZBULL, Sandy(b '41, NYC; d 11 April 2001 in Franklin TN of cancer) Solo artist on guitars and other instruments. His mother was the jazz harpist Daphne Hellman (d 4 August 2002 aged 86); she didn't swing but she was an endearing eccentric and musically adventurous. Sandy was a prodigy as a teenager, his eclectic style influenced by Eastern music, jazz and country. Signed to Vanguard, his first LP was Fantasias For Guitar And Banjo '63 followed by Inventions (guitar, banjo, oud, electric guitar and bass) '65; both used drummer Billy Higgins, Bull overdubbing the rest. Beautifully played improvised compositions (side-length 'Blend' on Fantasias, 'Blend II' on Inventions) anticipated the psychedelia of the late '60s. He also played Bach, Chuck Berry, Floyd Cramer's 'Last Date', etc. Other Vanguard LPs were E Pluribus Unum '65 (with Dennis Charles on drums; the electric signal was split for four different amplifications), and Demolition Derby '72. He also recorded for Decca and Buddah. Drugs crimped his career from '72; he played the college circuit, released Jukebox School Of Music '88, Vehicles '91 on various labels. |