Jesse Drakes
Encyclopedia
Jesse Drakes was an American
jazz
trumpet
player.
He was born October 22, 1924 in New York
.
Drakes hung out at Minton's Playhouse
in his youth, and attended Juilliard in the 1940s. He played in the 1940s with Al Cooper
's Savoy Sultans
, Sid Catlett
, J.C. Heard, Eddie Heywood
, Deke Watson, and Sarah Vaughan
(1947). He worked extensively with Lester Young
; the pair collaborated on and off between 1948 and 1956. Alongside this Drakes played with Harry Belafonte
, Gene Ammons
, Sonny Stitt
, (1953), Louie Bellson
, (1955), and Duke Ellington
(1956).
In the late 1950s he played less jazz and more R&B music, touring with King Curtis
and playing at the Motown studios in the 1960s. From 1969 he was based out of New York, leading dance ensembles and singing. He gave an interview with Cadence in 1984.
Drakes was found dead in his apartment in New York City
on May 1, 2010. His date of death, therefore, is unknown. He is survived by a son, Charles L. Drakes of Rockville, Maryland.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
player.
He was born October 22, 1924 in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Drakes hung out at Minton's Playhouse
Minton's Playhouse
Minton’s Playhouse is a jazz club and bar located on the first floor of the Cecil Hotel at 210 West 118th Street in Harlem. Minton’s was founded by tenor saxophonist Henry Minton in 1938...
in his youth, and attended Juilliard in the 1940s. He played in the 1940s with Al Cooper
Al Cooper
Al Cooper wasa saxophonist, clarinetist and bandleader.He founded the Savoy Sultans and was their leader from 1937 to 1946.He also played at the 101 Club on Lenox Avenue in New York andother places.- Al Cooper - 1938-1941 CD :...
's Savoy Sultans
Savoy Sultans
-Savoy Sultans :The original Savoy Sultans were formed by saxophonist Al Cooper, and played at the Savoy Ballroom from 1937 to 1946. This small swing jazz ensemble was comprised, at various times, Jack Chapman, Sam Massenberg, Jesse Drakes and Pat Jenkins on trumpets; Skinny Brown, Rudy Williams,...
, Sid Catlett
Sid Catlett
Sidney Catlett , was a swinging jazz drummer often referred to as "Big Sid Catlett" because of his large frame.-Biography:...
, J.C. Heard, Eddie Heywood
Eddie Heywood
Eddie Heywood was a jazz pianist who was popular in the 1940s. His father, Eddie Heyward, Sr. was also a jazz musician from the 1920s. Heywood, Jr...
, Deke Watson, and Sarah Vaughan
Sarah Vaughan
Sarah Lois Vaughan was an American jazz singer, described by Scott Yanow as having "one of the most wondrous voices of the 20th century."...
(1947). He worked extensively with Lester Young
Lester Young
Lester Willis Young , nicknamed "Prez", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and clarinetist. He also played trumpet, violin, and drums....
; the pair collaborated on and off between 1948 and 1956. Alongside this Drakes played with Harry Belafonte
Harry Belafonte
Harold George "Harry" Belafonte, Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, actor and social activist. He was dubbed the "King of Calypso" for popularizing the Caribbean musical style with an international audience in the 1950s...
, Gene Ammons
Gene Ammons
Eugene "Jug" Ammons also known as "The Boss," was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, and the son of boogie-woogie pianist Albert Ammons.-Biography:...
, Sonny Stitt
Sonny Stitt
Edward "Sonny" Stitt was an American jazz saxophonist of the bebop/hard bop idiom. He was also one of the best-documented saxophonists of his generation, recording over 100 albums in his lifetime...
, (1953), Louie Bellson
Louie Bellson
Luigi Paulino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni , better known by the stage name Louie Bellson , was an Italian-American jazz drummer...
, (1955), and Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
(1956).
In the late 1950s he played less jazz and more R&B music, touring with King Curtis
King Curtis
Curtis Ousley , who performed under the stage name King Curtis, was an American saxophone virtuoso known for rhythm and blues, rock and roll, soul, funk and soul jazz. Variously a bandleader, band member, and session musician, he was also a musical director and record producer...
and playing at the Motown studios in the 1960s. From 1969 he was based out of New York, leading dance ensembles and singing. He gave an interview with Cadence in 1984.
Drakes was found dead in his apartment in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on May 1, 2010. His date of death, therefore, is unknown. He is survived by a son, Charles L. Drakes of Rockville, Maryland.