The Billy Eckstine Orchestra featured jazz trumpeters Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis and Kenny Dorham, saxophone players Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon and Sonny Stitt and drummer Art Blakey, another Pittsburgh native. This fashion statement became known as the "Mr. B. He died of a heart attack in 1993. Pirates manager Danny Murtaugh and Bill Eckstine in 1971. WebEckstine was a style leader and noted sharp dresser. 'In those days they had segregated trains, and the black car was always right behind the coal car, so that all the dirt and dust would fly in on us. [16], In 1951, Eckstine performed at the seventh Cavalcade of Jazz concert held on July 8 at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, produced by Leon Hefflin, Sr. Also featured were Lionel Hampton and his Revue, Percy Mayfield, Jimmy Witherspoon, Joe Liggins and The Honeydrippers and Roy Brown. Set Fashion Trends. As a black man, Eckstine was not immune to the prejudice that characterized the 1950s. Jones is quoted in The Pleasures of Jazz: If hed been white, the sky would have been the limit. Eckstine gave generous credit to Johnson as the man who taught him to be a musician. In 1940 Eckstine sang his blues 'Jelly, Jelly' on one of Hines's records and had his first hit. Singer-bandleader Billy Eckstine, whose warm baritone graced a string of 40 s and 50s hits such as Fools Rush In and Everything I Have Is Yours, died yesterday. After working his way west to Chicago during the late '30s, Eckstine was hired by Earl Hines to join his Grand Terrace Orchestra in 1939. Particularly associated with. From the 1940s, Billy Eckstines smooth baritone and distinctive vibrato broke down barriers, initially as the leader of the original bop big band, then as the first romantic black male in popular music. He designed and patented a high roll collar that formed a B over a Windsor-knotted tie, which became known as a Mr. By 1943, he gained a trio of stellar bandmates -- Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Sarah Vaughan. For the Canadian pianist and composer, see, American jazz singer and bandleader (19141993). eckstine beacham recording Start your Independent Premium subscription today. [4] The Billy Eckstine Orchestra is considered to be the first bebop big-band,[4] and had Top Ten chart entries that included "A Cottage for Sale" and "Prisoner of Love". That same year, he made his last recording, titled Billy Eckstine Sings With Benny Carter.. Neckline of shirt without band and collar. After recording sparingly during the 1970s for Al Bell's Stax/Enterprise imprint, the international touring Eckstine made his last recording, the Grammy-nominated Billy Eckstine Sings with Benny Carter in 1986. Alternate titles: William Clarence Eckstein. "[3], Eckstine was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States,[4] the son of William Eckstein, a chauffeur, and Charlotte Eckstein, a seamstress. WebBilly Eckstine. B. comes to Motown in 1965 and, although his three albums and seven single releases fail to chart, Eckstine records strong adult-oriented material and his distinguished presence on the roster adds to the companys luster. It was arranged by Billy Byers, conducted by Bobby Tucker, and produced by Quincy Jones. Also see photo of NSW & ACT Grand Master wearing his collar. A stiffened half-circle collar with a tall stand, worn in the early 17th century. billy eckstine Clerical Collar worn in the Catholic Church for hundreds of years, the Rabat does not equal the ordinary bands of a judge. A collar may be permanently attached to the main body of the garment (e.g. Collars may also be stiffened, traditionally with starch; modern wash-and-wear shirt collars may be stiffened with interfacing or may include metal or plastic collar stays. After their divorce he married actress and model Carolle Drake in 1953, and remained married until his death. I wanted to dress like him, talk like him, pattern my whole life as a musician and as a complete person in the image of dignity that he projected. He had also planned on a football career, though after breaking his collar bone, he made music his focus. eckstine Eckstine suffered a stroke while performing in Salina, Kansas, in April 1992, and never performed again. Despite the groups modernist slant, Eckstine hit the charts often during the mid-40s, with Top Ten entries including A Cottage for Sale and Prisoner of Love. On the groups frequent European and American tours, Eckstine also played trumpet, valve trombone, and guitar. In his early days he used his vocal success to subsidise his big band and it was always a pleasure to see one of his records in the Top Ten, even when the songs were, to the jazz listener, turkeys like 'I Apologise' and 'I Wanna Be Loved'. [13] The photograph was considered so controversial that an editor at Life sought personal approval from Henry Luce, the magazine's publisher, who said it should be published. Tadd Dameron and Gil Fuller were among the bands arrangers, and Sarah Vaughan gave the vocals a contemporary air. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. A flat, round-cornered collar, named after the collar of the costume worn in 1905 by actress, A round, flat, limp collar based on the costume worn by the, A soft shirt collar, often with long points, worn by, A style of wearing a collar unfolded and high against the neck, made popular in the early 1980s with, A collar tied in a large bow under the wearer's chin. Topics related to this:Highland Park music and musicians Pittsburgh Pirates. Eckstine died on March 8, 1993, aged 78. WebBorn in Pittsburgh and raised in Washington D.C., Eckstine planned to be a professional football player before breaking his collarbone. So when we're getting ready to leave, I'd get some of the guys to stand around the piano as though we were talking, and I'd reach in and pull all the strings and all the mallets out. Sadly for history it made few recordings and most of those were of commercial ballad vocals. This type of collar is believed to originate from the Jebba, a, A folded collar pointing down, as opposed to a turned-up collar, such as a Wing collar; created by, A close-fitting knitted collar that folds over and covers the neck, An otherwise flat, protruding collar of either a shirt (especially a, A large collar with deep points standing high on the neck and falling onto the shoulders, usually trimmed with lace or. Eckstine was a style leader and noted sharp dresser. eckstine 1947 billy mvd When he got through with something, he'd open the door and throw his garbage into our section. After recording sparingly during the 1970s for Al Bells, Stax/Enterprise imprint, Eckstine (although still performing to adoring audiences throughout the world), made his last recording, the Grammy-nominated Billy Eckstine Sings with Benny Carter in 1986. WebSmall Wonders Billy Eckstine Top Songs 1. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. When he made a recording of "Caravan", I was happy and honored to watch one of our tunes help take him into the stratosphere of universal acclaim. Shirt collars which are not starched are described as soft collars. After working his way west to Chicago, Eckstine joined Earl Hines Grand Terrace Orchestra in 1939, staying with the band as vocalist and, occasionally, trumpeter, until 1943. By that time, he had closets full of suits, owned three cars and took regular lessons from a golf pro. Later moving to Washington, D.C., Eckstine began singing at the age of seven and entered many amateur talent shows. Career highlight: On the strength of a string of eight chart hits in two years, Eckstine breaks Frank Sinatras attendance record at New Yorks Paramount Theater in 1950. Eckstines grandparents were William F. Eckstein and Nannie Eckstein, a mixed-race, lawfully married couple who lived in Washington D.C.; both were born in the year 1863. Eckstine made numerous appearances on television variety shows, including The Ed Sullivan Show, The Nat King Cole Show, The Tonight Show with Steve Allen, Jack Paar, and Johnny Carson, The Merv Griffin Show, The Art Linkletter Show, The Joey Bishop Show, The Dean Martin Show, The Flip Wilson Show, and Playboy After Dark. A collar with a small standing band, usually buttoned, in the style worn with detachable collars. Digitized at 78 revolutions per minute. A turnover shirt collar with long points, as worn by the actor. In clothing, a collar is the part of a shirt, dress, coat or blouse that fastens around or frames the neck. William Clarence Eckstein (Billy Eckstine), singer and bandleader, born Pittsburgh 8 July 1914, married twice (five sons, two daughters), died Pittsburgh 8 March 1993. Augustus Washington, the first African American photographer who documented the lives of the Liberian middle class in the mid-1800s, Five remarkable facts about Emmet Tills mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, you should know, Big Bill Tate, the heavyweight boxer who used the rings to get jobs for 2,600 black workers, Discovering Cape Towns gastronomic scene: 7 restaurants to try on your next visit, 24-yr-old makes headlines for marrying white man 61 yrs her senior. Eckstine attended Peabody High School in Pittsburgh. A collar with buttonholes on the points to fasten them to the body of the shirt. Eckstine sings and plays both trumpet and trombone. In London. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). 'I'm gonna whip your ass across the tracks and back under again.' William Clarence Eckstein (Billy Eckstine), singer and bandleader, born Pittsburgh 8 July 1914, married twice (five sons, two daughters), died Pittsburgh 8 March 1993. Movie-star handsome with an elegant pencil-thin mustache and a wide vibrato, Eckstine possessed one of the most magnificent voices in He drew record-breaking crowds in New York and Los Angeles. Though he was forced to give up the band in 1947 (Gillespie formed his own bop big band that same year), Eckstine made the transition to string-filled balladry with ease. Other notables who attended there include the artist Romare Bearden, Gene Kelly, pianist Dodo Marmarosa and Lorin Maazel. ALTHOUGH Billy Eckstine has always been recognised as one of the most tasteful of popular singers, he also made a most vital contribution to jazz with the big band which he led for three years from 1944. The Billy Eckstine Orchestra was the first bop big-band group, and its leader reflected bop innovations by stretching his vocal harmonics into his normal ballads. I hit him and he slid backwards. eckstine billy 1952 mr great previous B. Collar. In addition to looking cool, the collar could expand and contract without popping open, which allowed his neck to swell while playing his horns.. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. A jewel is attached to the bottom of the collar further defining the Brothers rank and office. Size 10.0 Source 78 User_cleaned Bai Konte User_metadataentered Jordan Gold User_transferred Jordan Gold It included in its ranks Gillespie, Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Charlie Parker, Budd Johnson, Gene Ammons, Kenny Dorham, Fats Navarro, Lena Horne, Dexter Gordon, Lucky Thompson and Sarah Vaughan. [4] He signed with the newly established MGM Records, and had immediate hits with revivals of "Everything I Have Is Yours" (1947), Rodgers and Hart's "Blue Moon" (1948), and Juan Tizol's "Caravan" (1949). It was the first major big band to be influenced by the emerging musical style called bebop. WebBilly Eckstine - Discography Discography 1950 Billy Eckstine Sings (Savoy) 1952 Tenderly (MGM) 1954 Blues for Sale (EmArcy) 1954 Favorites (MGM) 1954 I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart (MGM) 1954 Songs by Billy Eckstine (MGM) 1954 The Great Mr. B (King) 1954 The Love Songs of Mr. B (EmArcy) 1955 I Surrender, Dear (EmArcy) Orchestra; M-G-M Tech. A high standing pleated collar popular in the renaissance period made of starched linen or lace, or a similar fashion popular late seventeenth century and again in the early nineteenth century. Eckstine was a style leader and noted sharp dresser. Despite the groups modernist slant, Eckstine hit the charts often during the mid 1940s, with Top Ten entries including A Cottage for Sale and Prisoner of Love. A woman's collar for a low V-neckline, with a stand and long points, popular in the 1960s and 1970s. [2] In 2019, Eckstine was posthumously awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award "for performers who, during their lifetimes, have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording." [18] Eckstine made his final recordings for Motorcity Records, a label for ex-Motown artists founded by Ian Levine.[4]. Tony Bennett would recall that, it changed everything Before that, he had a tremendous followingand it just offended the white community, a sentiment shared by pianist Billy Taylor who said that the coverage and that picture just slammed the door shut for him.. The Billy Eckstine Orchestra was the first bop big-band group and its leader reflected bop innovations (early form of modern jazz originating around 1940) by stretching his vocal harmonics into his normal ballads. Sammy Cahn / Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. He worked opposite Dizzy Gillespie's small bebop band at the Yacht Club on 52nd Street, in New York, and when the club closed in 1944 Eckstine formed his own big band, which was to last until 1947. The band featured at various times a large number of rising jazz stars, including: Saxophones: Gene Ammons, Dexter Gordon, Sonny Stitt, Lucky Thompson, Charlie Parker, Wardell Gray, Budd Johnson, Leo Parker Trumpets: Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Kenny Dorham, Fats Navarro Drums: Art Blakey Singers: Lena Horne, Sarah Vaughan. Popular, influential jazz vocalist with a deep, smooth sound well suited to romantic material; he also led a celebrated bop-influenced band. His success allowed him to form his own band in 1944 and mentor emerging talent. His final word was "Basie". Eckstine's popularity grew not only on U.S. pop charts, but also in Britain, hitting the Top Ten twice. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? billy eckstine biography He then formed the Billy Eckstine's smooth baritone and distinctive vibrato broke down barriers throughout the 1940s, first as leader of the original bop big band, then as the first romantic Black male in popular music. eckstine tread fools angels prisoner leonard [2] [3] In 1944 Eckstine formed his own band, which in its three-year existence gave strong impetus to the new bebop style by featuring the talents of Gillespie, Parker, Miles Davis, Fats Navarro, Gene Ammons, Dexter Gordon, Tadd Dameron, Art Blakey, and others. The wide shirt collars which he insisted on became a national fashion and were known as 'Mr B Collars'. Billy Eckstine, original name William Clarence Eckstein, (born July 8, 1914, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.died March 8, 1993, Pittsburgh), American singer and bandleader who achieved great personal success while fostering the careers of a number of younger jazz musicians. Similar to a Johnny collar, only with one or two buttons at the bottom of the V-neck line, creating a "Y" shape. '. In 1944, Eckstine formed his own big band and made it a fountainhead for young musicians who would reshape jazz by the end of the decade, including Dizzy Gillespie, Dexter Gordon, Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Charlie Parker, and Fats Navarro. Collar." Although he was much liked by other musicians, he did have a tough side to him. This page was last edited on 1 April 2023, at 02:43. In addition to looking cool, the collar expanded and contracted without popping open, which allowed his neck to swell while playing his horns. Omissions? Access the complete album info (14 songs) 2002 The Verve Music Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc. A one-piece collar that lies flat, part of the shirt also lies flat to create a notch. The same as the wing collar, but with rounded tips. A remarkable artist, the sonorous B. [9], Dizzy Gillespie, in reflecting on the band in his 1979 autobiography To Be or Not to Bop, gives this perspective: "There was no band that sounded like Billy Eckstine's. WebBilly Eckstine was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; a State Historical Marker is placed at 5913 Bryant St, Highland Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to mark the house where he grew up. [7] After high school, he moved to Washington, D.C. where he attended Armstrong High School, St. Paul Normal and Industrial School, and Howard University. WebEnglish. His parents were William Eckstein, a chauffeur and Charlotte Eckstein. 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