Joe Newman (trumpeter)
Encyclopedia
Joseph Dwight Newman was an American
jazz
trumpet
er, composer
, and educator, best known for his time with Count Basie
.
Newman was born in New Orleans, Louisiana
to David (pianist) and Louise Newman, a musical family, having his first music lessons from David Jones. His parents wer David Newman, a pianist and Louise Newman. He attended Alabama State College
, where he joined the college band (the Bama State Collegians
), became its leader, and took it on tour.
In 1941 he joined Lionel Hampton
for two years, before signing with Count Basie
, with whom he stayed for a total of thirteen years, interrupted by short breaks and a long period (1947–1952) spent first with saxophonist Illinois Jacquet
and then drummer
J. C. Heard
. During his second period with Basie, which lasted for about nine years, he made a number of small-group recordings as leader. He also played on Benny Goodman
's 1962 tour of the Soviet Union
.
In 1961 Newman left the Basie band, and helped to found Jazz Interactions
, of which he became president in 1967. His wife, Rigmor Alfredsson Newman was the Executive Director. Jazz Interactions was a charitable organisation which provided an information service, brought jazz master class
es into schools and colleges, and later maintained its own Jazz Interaction Orchestra (for which Newman wrote).
In the 1970s and 1980s Newman toured internationally, and recorded for various major record labels. He suffered a stroke
in 1991, however, which seriously disabled him.
and Clark Terry
With Oliver Nelson
With Shirley Scott
With Clark Terry
and Chico O'Farrill
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
er, 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...
, and educator, best known for his time with Count Basie
Count Basie
William "Count" Basie was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. Basie led his jazz orchestra almost continuously for nearly 50 years...
.
Newman was born in New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
to David (pianist) and Louise Newman, a musical family, having his first music lessons from David Jones. His parents wer David Newman, a pianist and Louise Newman. He attended Alabama State College
Alabama State University
Alabama State University, founded 1867, is a historically black university located in Montgomery, Alabama. ASU is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund.- History :...
, where he joined the college band (the Bama State Collegians
Bama State Collegians
The Bama State Collegians is a student jazz orchestra made up of students at Alabama State University. This group, founded in the 1930s, has been directed by a number of notable musicians, including Tommy Stewart and Erskine Hawkins....
), became its leader, and took it on tour.
In 1941 he joined Lionel Hampton
Lionel Hampton
Lionel Leo Hampton was an American jazz vibraphonist, pianist, percussionist, bandleader and actor. Like Red Norvo, he was one of the first jazz vibraphone players. Hampton ranks among the great names in jazz history, having worked with a who's who of jazz musicians, from Benny Goodman and Buddy...
for two years, before signing with Count Basie
Count Basie
William "Count" Basie was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. Basie led his jazz orchestra almost continuously for nearly 50 years...
, with whom he stayed for a total of thirteen years, interrupted by short breaks and a long period (1947–1952) spent first with saxophonist Illinois Jacquet
Illinois Jacquet
Jean-Baptiste Illinois Jacquet was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, best remembered for his solo on "Flying Home", critically recognized as the first R&B saxophone solo....
and then drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
J. C. Heard
J. C. Heard
J. C. Heard a.k.a. James Charles Heard was a United States swing, bop, and blues drummer....
. During his second period with Basie, which lasted for about nine years, he made a number of small-group recordings as leader. He also played on Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman
Benjamin David “Benny” Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing".In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America...
's 1962 tour of the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
.
In 1961 Newman left the Basie band, and helped to found Jazz Interactions
Jazz Interactions
Jazz Interactions, Inc. is a non-profit-making organisation whose aim is "to stimulate a greater awareness of jazz by providing jazz information and educational services to New York metropolitan area"....
, of which he became president in 1967. His wife, Rigmor Alfredsson Newman was the Executive Director. Jazz Interactions was a charitable organisation which provided an information service, brought jazz master class
Master class
A master class is a class given to students of a particular discipline by an expert of that discipline—usually music, but also painting, drama, or any of the arts....
es into schools and colleges, and later maintained its own Jazz Interaction Orchestra (for which Newman wrote).
In the 1970s and 1980s Newman toured internationally, and recorded for various major record labels. He suffered a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
in 1991, however, which seriously disabled him.
As leader
- 1954: Joe Newman and His Band (Vanguard)
- 1954: Joe Newman and the Boys in the Band (Storyville)
- 1955: All I Wanna Do Is Swing (Victor)
- 1955: The Count's Men (Fresh Sound)
- 1955: I'm Still Swinging (RCA)
- 1956: Salute to Satch (RCA)
- 1956: New Sounds in Swing (Jazztone)
- 1956: I Feel Like a Newman (Black Lion RecordsBlack Lion RecordsBlack Lion Records was a jazz record label based in London, England.Black Lion was founded by Alan Bates in 1968. The label had two series of releases, one for British jazz musicians and one for international musicians...
) - 1956: The Midgets (RCA)
- 1957: Locking Horns (Roulette)
- 1957: Swing Lightly (Jazztone)
- 1958: Jazz Heritage: Joe Newman Quartet/Shirley Scott (MCA)
- 1958: Soft Swinging Jazz (Coral)
- 1958: Joe Newman with Woodwinds (Roulette)
- 1958: Sextet (Pacific)
- 1960: Jive at Five (Original Jazz Classics)
- 1960: Counting Five in Sweden (World Pacific)
- 1961: Good 'n' Groovy (Original Jazz Classics)
- 1961: Joe's Hap'nin's (Swingville)
- 1962: In a Mellow Mood (Stash)
- 1962: Joe Newman at Count Basie's (Mercury)
- 196?: Shiny Stockings (Honey Dew)
- 1975: Satchmo Remembered (Atlantic)
- 1977: At the Atlantic (Phontastic)
- 1978: I Love My Baby (Black & Blue)
- 1984: Hangin' Out (Concord)
- 1992: A Grand Night for Swingin': The Joe Newman Memorial Album (Natasha)
- 1994: Jazz for Playboys (Savoy)
- 1999: In Sweden (Jazz Information)
- 2003: Jazz in Paris: Jazz at Midnight (Sunnyside)
As sideman
With Gary McFarlandGary McFarland
Gary McFarland was an influential composer, arranger, vibraphonist and vocalist, prominent on Verve and Impulse! Records during the 1960s, when he made "one of the more significant contributors to orchestral jazz"...
and Clark Terry
Clark Terry
Clark Terry is an American swing and bop trumpeter, a pioneer of the fluegelhorn in jazz, educator, NEA Jazz Masters inductee, and recipient of the 2010 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award...
- Tijuana JazzTijuana JazzTijuana Jazz is an album by American jazz vibraphonist Gary McFarland and trumpeter Clark Terry featuring performances recorded in 1965 for the Impulse! label.-Reception:...
(Impulse!, 1965) - ProfilesProfiles (album)Profiles is a live album by American jazz vibraphonist Gary McFarland featuring performances recorded at the Lincoln Centre Philharmonic Hall in 1966 for the Impulse! label.-Reception:...
(Impulse!, 1966)
With Oliver Nelson
Oliver Nelson
Oliver Edward Nelson was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, arranger and composer.-Early life and career:...
- Oliver Nelson Plays MichelleOliver Nelson Plays MichelleOliver Nelson Plays Michelle is an album by American jazz composer, arranger and saxophonist Oliver Nelson, featuring solos by Nelson and Phil Woods, recorded in 1966 for the Impulse! label.-Reception:...
(Impulse!, 1966) - HappeningsHappenings (Hank Jones & Oliver Nelson album)Happenings is an album by American jazz pianist Hank Jones and composer/arranger Oliver Nelson featuring performances recorded in 1966 for the Impulse! label.-Reception:...
with Hank JonesHank JonesHenry "Hank" Jones was an American jazz pianist, bandleader, arranger, and composer. Critics and musicians described Jones as eloquent, lyrical, and impeccable. In 1989, The National Endowment for the Arts honored him with the NEA Jazz Masters Award...
(Impulse!, 1966)
With Shirley Scott
Shirley Scott
Shirley Scott was an American hard bop and soul-jazz organist. She was most known for working with her husband, Stanley Turrentine, and with Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis...
- Roll 'Em: Shirley Scott Plays the Big BandsRoll 'Em: Shirley Scott Plays the Big BandsRoll 'Em: Shirley Scott Plays the Big Bands is an album by American jazz organist Shirley Scott recorded in 1966 for the Impulse! label.-Reception:...
(Impulse!, 1966)
With Clark Terry
Clark Terry
Clark Terry is an American swing and bop trumpeter, a pioneer of the fluegelhorn in jazz, educator, NEA Jazz Masters inductee, and recipient of the 2010 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award...
and Chico O'Farrill
Chico O'Farrill
Arturo "Chico" O'Farrill was a composer-arranger best known for his work in the Latin idiom, although he also composed straight-ahead jazz pieces and even symphonic works....
- Spanish RiceSpanish Rice (album)Spanish Rice is an album by American jazz trumpeter Clark Terry and Cuban composer-arranger Chico O'Farrill featuring performances recorded in 1966 for the Impulse! label.-Reception:...
(Impulse!, 1966)
Sources and external links
- Ian Carr, Digby Fairweather, & Brian Priestley. Jazz: The Rough Guide. ISBN 1-85828-528-3
- Richard Cook & Brian Morton. The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD 6th edition. ISBN 0-14-051521-6
- [ Joe Newman] — brief biography by Scott Yanow, for AllMusic
- "I'm Still Learning" — Joe Newman interviewed by Les Tomkins in 1977