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Jazz Articles about Eddie Jefferson
Eddie Jefferson: The Scientist of Vocalese
by Ed Hamilton
Detroit once had a reputation as the Killer Kapital," but things have changed--Dave Bing, basketball Hall of Famer is Mayor and is striving to clean up the city. But 32 years ago, actress Brenda Vaccarro and altoist Richie Cole witnessed the drive-by shotgun slaying of the architect of Vocalese, Eddie Jefferson, at Bakers' Lounge. Jefferson was shot and killed May 8, 1979, walking out of the venue, after playing a set with co-leader Cole. Vocalese was first created ...
read moreEddie Jefferson: Vocal Ease
by Jim Santella
Writing lyrics to fit transcribed jazz solos note for note, Eddie Jefferson founded vocalese in the late 1940s. His lyrics contained a contextual message about the referenced artist, which he performed, to the accompaniment of a small ensemble. The singer’s Parker’s Mood" salute to Bird and his I Cover the Waterfront" salute to Pres were recorded in 1949. But it was King Pleasure who captured the public’s ear, singing Jefferson’s Moody’s Mood for Love" and Parker’s Mood" a few years ...
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