Sammy Price (October 6, 1908 - April 14, 1992) was
an American jazz, boogie-woogie and jump blues pianist and bandleader. He was
born Samuel Blythe Price, in Honey Grove, Texas. Price is most noteworthy for
his work with his own band on Decca Records, known as the Texas Bluesicians
that included fellow musicians Don Stovall and Emmett Berry. The artist is
equally notable for his decade long partnership with Henry "Red"
Allen.
He first learned alto horn before studying piano in
Dallas and was a singer and dancer with Alphonso Trent's band during 1927-1930.
In 1929, he recorded one solitary side under the title of "Sammy Price and
His Four Quarters." After a few years in Kansas City, he spent time in
Chicago and Detroit.
Price worked steadily on 52nd Street, in 1948 played
at the Nice Festival with Mezz Mezzrow, spent time back in Texas, and then a
decade with Red Allen; he was also heard on many rock & roll-type sessions
in the 1950s.
Besides a talented musician, Sammy Price has
distinguished himself in political commitment in civil rights during the 60's.
He was also a great businessman: he opened a couple of night clubs in Texas and
launched a meat products company.
Here's "Boogie Woogie Notion" by Sam Price & His Bluesicians from above album
In later years he recorded with Doc Cheatham, he
also partnered with the Roosevelt Hotel in New York; and was the headline
entertainment at the Crawdaddy Restaurant, a New Orleans themed restaurant in
New York in the mid 1970s. Both Benny Goodman and Buddy Rich played with Price
at this venue. in the 1980s he switched to playing in the bar of Boston's
Copley Plaza.
He was active until near his death. He died of a
heart attack in April 1992, at home in Harlem, in New York, at the age of 83. (Info
mainly edited from AMG & Wikipedia)
Sammy
Price with an all star line up playing in the Netherlands in 1959 for the VPRO
Broadcasting Company. A wonderful team
of musicians is surrounding Doc Cheatham. Pianist and leader Sammy Price sets
the intro and after a few chorusses the band jumps onto One O'Clock Jump. On
alto sax we hear Eddie Barefield, trombonists Elmer Crumley and J.C.
Higgimbotham. In the rhythm group no other than J.C. Heard on drums with Jimmy
Lewis on bass.
1 comment:
For Sammy price 1942-1945 {The Chronological Classics, 1083}go here:
http://www.mediafire.com/download/j2mez5mnzz1/SamPrice_1942-45_CC1083.zip
Low bit rate from Zerouno blogspot
01. Me And My Chauffeur (2:34)
02. I've Got Too Many Blues (2:40)
03. It's All Right Jack (2:39)
04. Blow, Katy, Blow (2:25)
05. Teed Up (3:08)
06. Frantic (2:35)
07. That's Kicks (2:59)
08. Pluckin' That Thing (2:32)
09. Boogie Woogie Notion (2:41)
10. House Rent Boogie (3:35)
11. Big Joe (3:01)
12. Boogin' A Plenty (3:20)
13. Sweet Lorraine (3:35)
14. Honeysuckle Rose (3:21)
15. In A Mezz (2:47)
16. Those Mellow Blus (3:02)
17. Gully Low Blues (2:27)
18. Cow Cow Blues (2:44)
19. 133rd Street Boogie (2:23)
20. I Finally Gotcha (3:02)
21. 'Boogin' With 'Mezz' (2:52)
22. Callin' 'Em Home (2:42)
23. Step Down, Step Up (2:41)
24. Shakin' Loose (2:57)
25. Boogien' With Big Sid (3:05)
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