OH 1496 | Oral History

OH 1496

Jazz pianist. His comments about the evolution of jazz in Fort Worth, Texas, 1960-2003. The influence of his parents on his musical career; his family’s acquaintance with Ernest Tubb; the influence of local radio stations in Paris, Texas; the influence of Elvis Presley on his early career; his early interest in rhythm and blues; learning to play the piano and his interest in jazz; early gigs in Oklahoma and northeast Texas; his family’s move from Paris to Dallas and his playing gigs at several clubs there; moving to Fort Worth, 1965; collaboration with Tom Morrell in producing the How the West Was Swung albums; comments about the demise of western swing; gigs and clubs in Fort Worth; his transition from playing western swing to jazz; comments about various jazz artists; playing for African-American audiences; comments about avant-garde jazz and its promoters; difficulties in making a full-time living as a jazz artist in Fort Worth; his employment at Sardine’s Italian Restaurant in Fort Worth, 1983-2003; the Caravan of Dreams and the resurgence of jazz in Fort Worth, 1983; his relationship with the local musicians union; comments about Texas jazz.

About this Oral History

Physical Description 155 pp. plus documents (19 pp.)
Terms of Use Open
Interviewer(s) Peggy Brandt Brown
Date of Interview March 5, 2003

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