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Wahoo | Duke Pearson | 07:20 | |
Cristo Redentor | Duke Pearson | 03:54 | |
Silent Night | Duke Pearson | 04:15 | |
Upa Neguinho | Duke Pearson | 01:58 | |
Xibaba | Duke Pearson | 06:33 | |
Bedouin | Duke Pearson | 09:30 | |
Sweet Honey Bee | Duke Pearson | 04:53 | |
ESP (Extra Sensory Perception) | Duke Pearson | 07:51 | |
Amanda | Duke Pearson | 09:26 | |
Farewell Machelle | Duke Pearson | 02:48 |
The Phantom | |
Blues For Alvina | |
Bunda Amerela (Little Yellow Streetcar) | |
Los Ojos Alegres (The Happy Eyes) |
Duke Pearson was an American jazz pianist who, from the 1950s to his death in 1980, played progressive be-bop jazz with an assortment of major players in concert performances and on recordings. His 1960 song 'Jeannine' was recorded by Cannonball Adderley on his 'Them Dirty Blues' album and went on to become a jazz standard with later recordings by Donald Byrd and Manhattan Transfer.
Born in Georgia, he learned to play trumpet and piano as a young man but after military service settled on the piano. He performed locally and in Florida and moved to New York City where he played with the Jazztet of Benny Golson and Art Farmer. He joined trumpet player Donald Byrd and saxophonist Pepper Adams in their quintet and toured with singer Nancy Wilson in 1961. He wrote four songs for Byrd's 1963 album 'A New Perspective' and the two men formed their own big band with sidemen including pianist Chick Corea, trumpeter Randy Brecker and trombonist Garnett Brown.
His recordings as band leader include 'Profile' and 'Tender Feelings' (1959), 'Wahoo!' (1964), 'Sweet Honey Bee' (1966), 'The Phantom' (1968) and 'Merry Ole Soul' (1969). In the early 1970s, he accompanied Carmen McRae and Joe Williams on tour. Pearson also worked for many years as a producer at iconic jazz label Blue Note and taught music. He died aged 47 of complications from multiple sclerosis.