| Jimmy Rowles | |
| Background: | solo_singer |
| Birth Name: | James George Hunter |
| Birth Date: | August 19, 1918 |
| Birth Place: | Spokane, Washington, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Burbank, California, U.S. |
| Genre: | Jazz |
| Occupation: | Musician |
| Instrument: | Piano, vocals |
| Years Active: | 1940–1980s |
James George Hunter (August 19, 1918 – May 28, 1996), known professionally as Jimmy Rowles (sometimes spelled Jimmie Rowles), was an American jazz pianist, vocalist, and composer. As a bandleader and accompanist, he explored multiple styles including swing and cool jazz.[1]
Rowles was born in Spokane, Washington,[2] and attended Gonzaga University in that city. After moving to Los Angeles, he joined Lester Young's group in 1942.[2] He also worked with Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Les Brown, Tommy Dorsey, and Tony Bennett, and as a studio musician.[2]
Rowles was praised as an accompanist by female singers. He recorded Sarah Vaughan with the Jimmy Rowles Quintet with Sarah Vaughan and accompanied Carmen McRae on her 1972 live album The Great American Songbook. McRae described Rowles as "the guy every girl singer in her right mind would like to work with".[3]
In the 1950s and 1960s, he frequently played behind Billie Holiday and Peggy Lee.[2] In the 1980s, he succeeded Paul Smith as Ella Fitzgerald's accompanist. In late 1956 he performed with Fitzgerald at the Mocambo nightclub in Hollywood; from then on, he appeared on several recording sessions with Ella in the 1960s before joining her in 1981 for nearly three years.[2] Rowles appeared, in 1982, on Fitzgerald's final collaboration with Nelson Riddle, The Best Is Yet to Come. His song "Baby, Don't You Quit Now", written with Johnny Mercer, was recorded on her final album, All That Jazz, released in 1989.
In 1983, Rowles worked with Diana Krall in Los Angeles, shortly after she moved from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. He developed her playing abilities and encouraged her to add singing to her repertoire. In 1994, he accompanied jazz singer Jeri Brown on A Timeless Place, the only album containing only his own compositions.
"The Peacocks" is Rowles's best known composition; it has been recorded on the 1975 album of the same name with Stan Getz, and subsequently by Gary Foster, John McLaughlin, Esperanza Spalding, Bill Evans, and other artists. Singer Norma Winstone wrote lyrics for the composition and recorded it under the title "A Timeless Place". "The Peacocks" is performed in the soundtrack of Bertrand Tavernier's movie Round Midnight.[4]
Rowles' 1958 composition "502 Blues" gained wide exposure from Wayne Shorter's 1966 recording. "502 Blues" was subsequently included in the Real Book, a collection of jazz sheet music widely used by students and professionals when playing jam sessions and casual gigs.
Rowles's piano work was featured prominently on the DePatie-Freleng Enterprises cartoon series The Ant and the Aardvark (1969–1971).[5]
In 1986 the 14th of September was declared “Jimmie Rowles Day” in Los Angeles.[6]
Rowles died in 1996 of cardiac arrest in Burbank, California, aged 77.[7] His daughter, Stacy (September 11, 1955 - October 30, 2009), was a jazz trumpeter, singer, and flugelhornist.[8] His son Gary played guitar with Eric Burdon and Arthur Lee's band Love.
With Pepper Adams
With Louie Bellson
With Bob Brookmeyer
With Hoagy Carmichael
With Benny Carter
With Nat King Cole
With Harry Edison
With Ella Fitzgerald
With Stan Getz
With Jimmy Giuffre
With Woody Herman
With Billie Holiday
With Barney Kessel
With Lee Konitz
With Julie London
With Herbie Mann
With Carmen McRae
With Gerry Mulligan
With Mark Murphy
With Buddy Rich
With Nelson Riddle
With Pete Rugolo
With Bud Shank
With Zoot Sims
With Sonny Stitt
With Ben Webster
With Buster Williams
With Gerald Wilson
With Phil Woods and Lew Tabackin
With Henry Mancini