Wild Bill Davis At The Organ • One More Time

With the dynamic, swirling sounds of his Hammond B-3 organ, Wild Bill Davis provided a bridge from the big band swing of the 1930s and '40s to the organ-driven R&B of the 1950s and early '60s. Together with guitarist Floyd Smith and drummer Chris Columbus, Davis set the framework for the jazz organ combo sound. Initially a guitarist, Davis made his debut with Milt Larkin's band in 1939. The group is remembered for the double-saxophone attack of Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson and Arnett Cobb. Davis, who was inspired by the guitar playing of Freddie Green, remained with the band until 1942. Moving to the piano, Davis joined Louis Jordan & His Tympany 5 in 1945. By then, he had already attracted attention as a skilled writer and arranger. He later furnished original material and arrangements for both Duke Ellington and Count Basie. He was scheduled to record his arrangement of "April in Paris" with the Count Basie Orchestra in 1955, but was unable to make it to the recording sessions. Recorded without his participation, the tune went on to be a Top 30 pop hit. Intrigued by the organ playing of Fats Waller and Count Basie, Davis began to experiment with the Hammond B-3. He soon developed his unique approach. "I thought of (the organ) as a replacement in clubs for a big band," he said during a late-'80s interview. Although he left Jordan's band after five years to form his own trio, Davis periodically returned to play special engagements. Although eclipsed by succeeding jazz organists, including Jimmy Smith and Bill Doggett in the late '50s, and Booker T. Jones in the '60s, Davis remained active until his death from a heart attack in August 1995. His summer appearances in Atlantic City, New Jersey were an annual treat for almost three decades. ~Craig Harris

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Con los sonidos dinámicos y arremolinados de su órgano Hammond B-3, Wild Bill Davis sirvió de puente entre el swing de las grandes bandas de los años 30 y 40 y el R&B de los años 50 y principios de los 60. Junto con el guitarrista Floyd Smith y el baterista Chris Columbus, Davis estableció el marco para el sonido combinado del órgano de jazz. Inicialmente guitarrista, Davis debutó con la banda de Milt Larkin en 1939. El grupo es recordado por el ataque con doble saxofón de Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson y Arnett Cobb. Davis, que se inspiró en la guitarra de Freddie Green, permaneció en la banda hasta 1942. Al pasar al piano, Davis se unió a Louis Jordan & His Tympany 5 en 1945. Para entonces, ya había atraído la atención como un hábil escritor y arreglista. Más tarde proporcionó material y arreglos originales para Duke Ellington y Count Basie. Estaba previsto que grabara su arreglo de "April in Paris" con la Orquesta de Count Basie en 1955, pero no pudo asistir a las sesiones de grabación. Grabada sin su participación, la melodía llegó a ser un éxito pop de los Top 30. Intrigado por la interpretación al órgano de Fats Waller y Count Basie, Davis comenzó a experimentar con el Hammond B-3. Pronto desarrolló su enfoque único. "Pensé en (el órgano) como un reemplazo en los clubes para una gran banda", dijo durante una entrevista a finales de los 80. Aunque dejó la banda de Jordan después de cinco años para formar su propio trío, Davis regresaba periódicamente para tocar en compromisos especiales. Aunque fue eclipsado por sucesivos organistas de jazz, incluyendo a Jimmy Smith y Bill Doggett a finales de los 50 y Booker T. Jones en los 60, Davis permaneció activo hasta su muerte por un ataque al corazón en agosto de 1995. Sus apariciones en verano en Atlantic City, Nueva Jersey, fueron un regalo anual durante casi tres décadas. ~Craig Harris

 

 

 

Tracks:

Side 1
1. April In Paris
2. Canadian Sunset
3. On A Little Street In Singapore
4. Lisbon Antigua
5. Midnight In Moscow
6. Hawaiian War Chant

Side 2
1. Brazil
2. The Poor People Of Paris
3. Manhattan
4. On A Slow Boat To China
5. Arrivederci Roma
6. African Waltz


Credits:
Wild Bill Davis, hammond organ
Paul Gonzales, saxophone
Les Spann, guitar
Calvin Newborn, guitar
Janet Putnam, harp
Grady Tate, drums


Release Date 1962
Recording Date April 30, 1962 - May 1, 1962

 

 

 

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