Bobby Timmons
Encyclopedia
Robert Henry "Bobby" Timmons (December 19, 1935 – March 1, 1974) was an African American
jazz
pianist
and composer
.
He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, and is best known for his role as sideman in Art Blakey
's Jazz Messengers (1958–1961) and the composition of "Moanin'", "Dat Dere
", and "This Here", each of which are typical of his distinctive gospel
soul-jazz style. He also played with Cannonball Adderley, Chet Baker
, Kenny Dorham
(with whom he made his recording debut in a live set from May 1956), Hank Mobley
, Lee Morgan
, Donald Byrd
, Kenny Burrell
, Sonny Stitt
and Maynard Ferguson
.
In March 1974, Timmons died from cirrhosis
, at the age of 38, in New York
.
With Nat Adderley
With Chet Baker
with Art Blakey
With Kenny Burrell
With Kenny Dorham
With Curtis Fuller
With Hank Mobley
With Lee Morgan
With The Young Lions
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
.
He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, and is best known for his role as sideman in Art Blakey
Art Blakey
Arthur "Art" Blakey , known later as Abdullah Ibn Buhaina, was an American Grammy Award-winning jazz drummer and bandleader. He was a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community....
's Jazz Messengers (1958–1961) and the composition of "Moanin'", "Dat Dere
Dat Dere
"Dat Dere" is a jazz song with music by Bobby Timmons and lyrics by Oscar Brown, Jr.- Creation :Timmons composed the music in succession with the songs "Dis Here" and "Which Were?". It was first recorded in 1960 by Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers on the album "The Big Beat" while Timmons was the...
", and "This Here", each of which are typical of his distinctive gospel
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
soul-jazz style. He also played with Cannonball Adderley, Chet Baker
Chet Baker
Chesney Henry "Chet" Baker, Jr. was an American jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist and singer.Though his music earned him a large following , Baker's popularity was due in part to his "matinee idol-beauty" and "well-publicized drug habit."He died in 1988 in Amsterdam, the...
, Kenny Dorham
Kenny Dorham
McKinley Howard Dorham was an American jazz trumpeter, singer, and composer born in Fairfield, Texas. Dorham's talent is frequently lauded by critics and other musicians, but he never received the kind of attention from the jazz establishment that many of his peers did...
(with whom he made his recording debut in a live set from May 1956), Hank Mobley
Hank Mobley
Henry Mobley was an American hard bop and soul jazz tenor saxophonist and composer. Mobley was described by Leonard Feather as the "middleweight champion of the tenor saxophone", a metaphor used to describe his tone that was neither as aggressive as John Coltrane nor as mellow as Stan Getz...
, Lee Morgan
Lee Morgan
Edward Lee Morgan was an American hard bop trumpeter.-Biography:...
, Donald Byrd
Donald Byrd
Donaldson Toussaint L'Ouverture Byrd II, is an American jazz and rhythm and blues trumpeter. A sideman for many other jazz musicians of his generation, Byrd is best known as one of the only bebop jazz musicians who successfully pioneered the funk and soul genres while simultaneously remaining a...
, Kenny Burrell
Kenny Burrell
Kenneth Earl "Kenny" Burrell is an American jazz guitarist. His playing is grounded in bebop and blues; he has performed and recorded with a wide range of jazz musicians.-Biography:...
, Sonny Stitt
Sonny Stitt
Edward "Sonny" Stitt was an American jazz saxophonist of the bebop/hard bop idiom. He was also one of the best-documented saxophonists of his generation, recording over 100 albums in his lifetime...
and Maynard Ferguson
Maynard Ferguson
Maynard Ferguson was a Canadian jazz musician and bandleader. He came to prominence playing in Stan Kenton's orchestra, before forming his own band in 1957...
.
In March 1974, Timmons died from cirrhosis
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease characterized by replacement of liver tissue by fibrosis, scar tissue and regenerative nodules , leading to loss of liver function...
, at the age of 38, in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
As leader
- This Here is Bobby TimmonsThis Here is Bobby TimmonsThis Here is Bobby Timmons is the debut album by American jazz pianist Bobby Timmons recorded in 1960 and released on the Riverside label.-Reception:The Allmusic review awarded the album 4 stars.-Track listing:# "This Here" - 3:34# "Moanin'" - 5:08...
(Riverside, 1960) - Soul TimeSoul TimeSoul Time is a jazz album by Bobby Timmons on piano, Blue Mitchell on trumpet, Sam Jones on bass and Art Blakey on drums.After "This Here Is Bobby Timmons" , "Soul Time" was the second album recorded under Timmons' leadership. He handpicked an impressive cast of jazz musicians to complement his...
(Riverside, 1960) - Easy Does ItEasy Does It (Bobby Timmons album)Easy Does It is the third studio album by American jazz pianist Bobby Timmons recorded in 1961 and released on the Riverside label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4 stars stating "the music is excellent"....
(Riverside, 1961) - In PersonIn Person (Bobby Timmons album)In Person is a live album by American jazz pianist Bobby Timmons recorded in 1961 at the Village Vanguard and released on the Riverside label.-Reception:...
(Riverside, 1961) - Sweet and Soulful SoundsSweet and Soulful SoundsSweet and Soulful Sounds is an album by American jazz pianist Bobby Timmons recorded in 1962 and released on the Riverside label.-Reception:...
(Riverside, 1962) - Born to Be Blue!Born to Be Blue! (Bobby Timmons album)Born to Be Blue! is an album by American jazz pianist Bobby Timmons recorded in 1963 and released on the Riverside label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4 stars stating "This is excellent music but unfortunately Timmons would not grow much musically after this...
(Riverside, 1963) - From the BottomFrom the BottomFrom the Bottom is an album by American jazz pianist Bobby Timmons recorded in 1964 and released on the Riverside label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 3 stars stating "Bobby Timmons, a highly influential funk pianist, is in generally excellent form".-Track listing:#...
(Riverside, 1964) - Little Barefoot SoulLittle Barefoot SoulLittle Barefoot Soul is an album by American jazz pianist Bobby Timmons recorded in 1964 and released on the Prestige label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Jason Ankeny awarded the album 4 stars stating "the album is a marvel of instinct and ingenuity...
(Prestige, 1964) - Chun-KingChun-KingChun-King is an album by American jazz pianist Bobby Timmons recorded in 1964 and released on the Prestige label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Jason Ankeny awarded the album 4 stars calling it "an intimate, soulful session that spotlights the range and command of all involved".-Track listing:#...
(Prestige, 1965) - Workin' Out!Workin' Out!Workin' Out! is an album by American jazz pianist Bobby Timmons recorded in 1964 and released on the Prestige label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4½ stars calling it "Bobby Timmons most advanced recordings of the 1960s"....
(Prestige, 1965) - Holiday SoulHoliday SoulHoliday Soul is an album of Christmas music by American jazz pianist Bobby Timmons recorded in 1964 and released on the Prestige label.-Reception:The Allmusic review awarded the album 3 stars.-Track listing:# "Deck the Halls"...
(Prestige, 1964) - Chicken & Dumplin'sChicken & Dumplin'sChicken & Dumplin's is an album by American jazz pianist Bobby Timmons recorded in 1965 and released on the Prestige label.-Reception:The Allmusic review awarded the album 3 stars.-Track listing:# "Chicken & Dumplin's" - 7:45...
(Prestige, 1965) - The Soul Man!The Soul Man!The Soul Man! is an album by American jazz pianist Bobby Timmons recorded in 1966 and released on the Prestige label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Ron Wynn awarded the album 3 stars stating "Plenty of funk, blues, and soul-jazz, plus great piano"....
(Prestige, 1966) - Soul FoodSoul Food (Bobby Timmons album)Soul Food is an album by American jazz pianist Bobby Timmons recorded in 1966 and released on the Prestige label.-Reception:The Allmusic review awarded the album 3 stars.-Track listing:# "Souce Meat" - 4:06# "Turkey Wings" - 5:35...
(Prestige, 1966) - Got to Get It!Got to Get It!Got to Get It! is an album by American jazz pianist Bobby Timmons recorded in 1967 and released on the Milestone label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Jason Ankeny awarded the album 3 stars stating "Purists may blanch, but Bobby Timmons' Milestone label debut Got to Get It! is an otherwise...
(Milestone, 1967) - Do You Know the Way?Do You Know the Way?Do You Know the Way? is the final album by American jazz pianist Bobby Timmons recorded in 1968 and released on the Milestone label.-Reception:The Allmusic review awarded the album 3 stars.-Track listing:# "The Spanish Count" - 5:52...
(Milestone, 1968)
Compilations
- Moanin (1975)**
- Moanin' Blues (1998)**
- Quartets and Orchestra (2001)** - compiles Got to Get It! and Do You Know the Way?
- Prestige Trio Sessions (2003)** - compiles Little Barefoot Soul and Chun-King
As sideman
With Cannonball Adderley- The Cannonball Adderley Quintet in San FranciscoThe Cannonball Adderley Quintet in San FranciscoThe Cannonball Adderley Quintet in San Francisco is a 1959 album by The Cannonball Adderley Quintet.The groundbreaking album launched "soul jazz", according to NPR, bridging "the gap between bebop and funk"....
(1959) - Them Dirty BluesThem Dirty BluesThem Dirty Blues is an album by The Cannonball Adderley Quintet, recorded in 1960.- Track listing :# “Work Song” – 5:07#“Dat Dere” – 5:29#“Easy Living” – 4:19...
(1960)
With Nat Adderley
Nat Adderley
Nathaniel Adderley was an American jazz cornet and trumpet player who played in the hard bop and soul jazz genres. He was the brother of saxophonist Julian "Cannonball" Adderley....
- Work SongWork SongWork Song is an album by jazz cornetist Nat Adderley, recorded in January 1960 and released on the Riverside label. It features Adderley with Bobby Timmons, Wes Montgomery, Sam Jones, Percy Heath, Keter Betts and Louis Hayes in various combinations from a trio to a sextet, with the unusual sound of...
(1960)
With Chet Baker
Chet Baker
Chesney Henry "Chet" Baker, Jr. was an American jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist and singer.Though his music earned him a large following , Baker's popularity was due in part to his "matinee idol-beauty" and "well-publicized drug habit."He died in 1988 in Amsterdam, the...
- Chet Baker Big Band (1954)
- Chet Baker and Crew (1956)
with Art Blakey
Art Blakey
Arthur "Art" Blakey , known later as Abdullah Ibn Buhaina, was an American Grammy Award-winning jazz drummer and bandleader. He was a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community....
- Moanin'Moanin'Moanin' is a jazz album by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, recorded in 1958.This was Blakey's first album for Blue Note in several years, after a period of recording for a miscellany of labels, and marked both a homecoming and a fresh start...
(1958) - Drums Around the CornerDrums Around the CornerDrums Around the Corner is a jazz album by Art Blakey, mostly recorded in 1958 but only released in 1999.The album is composed of two separate sessions. The main session, recorded by Rudy Van Gelder at the Manhattan Towers, NYC on 2 November 1958, is a showcase for an all-star drumming lineup of...
(1958) - 1958 - Paris Olympia (1958)
- At the Jazz Corner of the WorldAt the Jazz Corner of the WorldAt the Jazz Corner of the World is a two volume live album by American jazz drummer Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers featuring performances recorded in 1959 at Birdland and released on the Blue Note label. The album was originally issued as 12 inch LP's in two volumes and later rereleased as...
(1959) - Les Liaisons Dangereuses (1959)
- The Big BeatThe Big Beat (Art Blakey album)The Big Beat is an album by Art Blakey and his group The Jazz Messengers recorded on March 6, 1960 and released on the Blue Note label. It features performances by Blakey with Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter, Bobby Timmons, and Jymie Merritt.- Track listing :...
(1960) - Like Someone in LoveLike Someone in LoveLike Someone in Love is an album by the American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, with a studio orchestra arranged and conducted by Frank DeVol...
(1960) - A Night In Tunisia (1960)
- Meet You at the Jazz Corner of the WorldMeet You at the Jazz Corner of the WorldMeet You at the Jazz Corner of the World is a series of two LPs featuring the Jazz Messengers with the leader/drummer Art Blakey, trumpeter Lee Morgan, tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter, pianist Bobby Timmons and bassist Jymie Merritt. The albums feature live recordings of the Jazz Messengers at...
(1960) - The Witch DoctorThe Witch Doctor (album)The Witch Doctor is an album by Art Blakey and his group The Jazz Messengers recorded on March 14, 1961 and released on the Blue Note label...
(1961) - The Freedom RiderThe Freedom RiderThe Freedom Rider is an album by jazz drummer Art Blakey and his group the Jazz Messengers. Continuing Blakey's distinct brand of hard bop, this album features contributions from Wayne Shorter, Lee Morgan, Blakey himself, and Kenny Dorham, a former Jazz Messenger...
(1961)
With Kenny Burrell
Kenny Burrell
Kenneth Earl "Kenny" Burrell is an American jazz guitarist. His playing is grounded in bebop and blues; he has performed and recorded with a wide range of jazz musicians.-Biography:...
- Blue LightsBlue Lights (album)Blue Lights is an album by American jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell recorded in 1958 and released on the Blue Note label as two 12 inch LP's entitled Volume 1 and Volume 2. The cover features artwork by Andy Warhol...
(1958)
With Kenny Dorham
Kenny Dorham
McKinley Howard Dorham was an American jazz trumpeter, singer, and composer born in Fairfield, Texas. Dorham's talent is frequently lauded by critics and other musicians, but he never received the kind of attention from the jazz establishment that many of his peers did...
- 'Round About Midnight at the Cafe Bohemia'Round About Midnight at the Cafe BohemiaRound About Midnight at the Cafe Bohemia is a live album by American jazz trumpeter Kenny Dorham featuring performances recorded in 1956 and released on the Blue Note label. The album was originally released in 1956 in two volumes with a third volume released later on the Japanese Blue Note label...
(1956)
With Curtis Fuller
Curtis Fuller
Curtis DuBois Fuller is an American jazz trombonist, known as a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and contributor to many classic jazz recordings.-Biography:...
- The OpenerThe OpenerThe Opener is an album by American trombonist Curtis Fuller recorded in 1957 and released on the Blue Note label as BLP 1567.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine awarded the album 4⅓ stars and stated "The Opener is trombonist Curtis Fuller's first album for Blue Note and it is...
(1957)
With Hank Mobley
Hank Mobley
Henry Mobley was an American hard bop and soul jazz tenor saxophonist and composer. Mobley was described by Leonard Feather as the "middleweight champion of the tenor saxophone", a metaphor used to describe his tone that was neither as aggressive as John Coltrane nor as mellow as Stan Getz...
- HankHank (album)Hank is an album by jazz saxophonist Hank Mobley released on the Blue Note label in 1957 as BLP 1560. It was recorded on January 13, 1957 and features Mobley, Donald Byrd, John Jenkins, Bobby Timmons, Wilbur Ware and Philly Joe Jones.-Reception:...
(1957)
With Lee Morgan
Lee Morgan
Edward Lee Morgan was an American hard bop trumpeter.-Biography:...
- The CookerThe CookerThe Cooker is an album by jazz trumpeter Lee Morgan, released on the Blue Note label in 1958 as BLP 1578. It was recorded on September 29, 1957 and features Morgan, Pepper Adams, Bobby Timmons, Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones.-Reception:...
(1957) - Lee-WayLee-WayLeeway is an album by jazz trumpeter Lee Morgan released on the Blue Note label. It was recorded on April 28, 1960 and features performances by Morgan with Jackie McLean, Bobby Timmons, Paul Chambers and Art Blakey....
(1960)
With The Young Lions
The Young Lions (band)
The Young Lions were a jazz ensemble consisting of Lee Morgan, Frank Strozier, Wayne Shorter, Bobby Timmons, Bob Cranshaw, Louis Hayes, and Albert "Tootie" Heath. They released one album in 1960 for Vee Jay Records....
- The Young Lions (1960) Vee-Jay RecordsVee-Jay RecordsVee-Jay Records is a record label founded in the 1950s, specializing in blues, jazz, rhythm and blues and rock and roll. It was owned and operated by African Americans.-History:...