James Columbus McShann was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, January 12, 1916. He taught himself piano as a child, despite his parents' disapproval of his interest in music. He began his professional career in 1931, playing with saxophonist Don Byas. He studied at the Tuskegee Institute, one of the leading black educational institutions in the United States. McShann performed around Arkansas and in Tulsa, Oklahoma from in 1935 and '36.

In 1936 McShann moved to Kansas City, Missouri and played at the Monroe Inn on Independence Avenue. The following year he formed a sextet and began a residence at Martin's on the Plaza. In late 1939, McShann assembled a big band and played at the Century Room and Fairyland Park.

The Jay McShann Orchestra toured extensively and recorded for Decca in 1941. The band's most popular recording was a blues entitled "Confessin' the blues." The band also performed and recorded many contemporary compositions all along the stylistic spectrum from traditional jazz to Kansas City style to bebop.

This musically progressive band, whose oldest member was 25, included drummer Gus Johnson, bassist Gene Ramey and the young Charlie Parker (1920-1955). In 1937, McShann was the first professional leader to hire Parker, who was just out of high school. McShann's recording of "Hootie blues" was the first recording to document Parker's emerging genius. Parker stayed with McShann until 1941. McShann's band had its debut in New York at the Savoy Ballroom in February, 1942 to enthusiastic reviews.

McShann served in the armed forces from 1943 to 1944. After his discharge he re-formed his big band and worked in New York and California. In the late 40s McShann led a small combo that featured vocalist Jimmy Witherspoon working around 52nd Street in New York. During this period he recorded for the Aladdin and Mercury labels.

McShann returned to Kansas City in 1950, studied at the Conservatory of Music, and toured regionally with his trio and small groups for two decades. From 1969 to the present, McShann has toured extensively, appearing at music festivals world-wide. He has also recorded critically acclaimed records for the Capitol, Atlantic, Sonet, Black and Blue and Sackville labels. He was the subject of a 1978 documentary film Hootie Blues by Bart Becker and Michael Farrell, and he is also showcased in the Bruce Ricker film Last of the Blue Devils (1979).

McShann is known for his blues and boogie-influenced percussive piano style, but he is a master of all jazz piano styles. He continues to tour and to expand the tradition of Kansas City jazz, which he helped create.

By Joel Simpson