John Patton (musician)
Encyclopedia
John Patton sometimes nicknamed Big John Patton, was a hard bop
and soul jazz
organist
.
After spending time with the Lloyd Price orchestra, he recorded extensively for Blue Note
, and performed or collaborated with Grant Green
, Lou Donaldson
, and John Zorn
. His music evolved to incorporate elements of modal and free jazz, without ever losing the basic, earthy groove that he brought to it from the beginning.
on lps such as Understanding and Accent on the Blues. Of particular note on the early sessions recorded for Blue Note both under his own name and also with George Braith
, Don Wilkerson
and Lou Donaldson
was the superlative empathy he developed with guitarist Grant Green and drummer Ben Dixon - an organ trio whose work in the soul jazz genre remains unsurpassed to this day.
Since the resurgence in interest in music from this period Blue Note has unearthed many sessions that lay in the vaults. LPs such as Blue John which was actually penciled for release, but never was, and two fantastic (and forward looking) albums Boogaloo and Memphis New York Spirit saw the light of day and showed the world more of this exceptional artist's work.
He continued recording until the late 1990s and his LPs (listed below) are well worth finding. In these later years he developed a loyal following in both Japan and Europe - which he toured to great acclaim. He also played live in the US and abroad to great acclaim with several dates having been recorded by collectors. Most recently George Braith issued Eagle Eye Blues on his own label. In 2001, Patton performed "Money Jungle" with Ron Carter
and Black Star
for the Red Hot Organization
's compilation album Red Hot + Indigo
, a tribute to Duke Ellington
, which raised money for various charities devoted to increasing AIDS
awareness and fighting the disease
Hard bop
Hard bop is a style of jazz that is an extension of bebop music. Journalists and record companies began using the term in the mid-1950s to describe a new current within jazz which incorporated influences from rhythm and blues, gospel music, and blues, especially in the saxophone and piano...
and soul jazz
Soul jazz
Soul jazz is a development of jazz incorporating strong influences from blues, soul, gospel and rhythm and blues in music for small groups, often an organ trio featuring a Hammond organ.- Overview :Soul jazz is often associated with hard bop. Mark C...
organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
.
After spending time with the Lloyd Price orchestra, he recorded extensively for Blue Note
Blue Note Records
Blue Note Records is a jazz record label, established in 1939 by Alfred Lion and Max Margulis. Francis Wolff became involved shortly afterwards. It derives its name from the characteristic "blue notes" of jazz and the blues. At the end of the 1950s, and in the early 1960s, Blue Note headquarters...
, and performed or collaborated with Grant Green
Grant Green
Grant Green was a jazz guitarist and composer....
, Lou Donaldson
Lou Donaldson
Lou Donaldson is a jazz alto saxophonist. He was born in Badin, North Carolina. He is best known for his soulful, bluesy approach to playing the alto saxophone, although in his formative years he was, as many were of the bebop era, heavily influenced by Charlie Parker.His first recordings were...
, and John Zorn
John Zorn
John Zorn is an American avant-garde composer, arranger, record producer, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist. Zorn is a prolific artist: he has hundreds of album credits as performer, composer, or producer...
. His music evolved to incorporate elements of modal and free jazz, without ever losing the basic, earthy groove that he brought to it from the beginning.
Biography
He wrote some classics and will be remembered fondly both by musicians and fans. His stellar work included "Funky Mama" and Along Came John. During the late 60s John recorded some very adventurous music for the Blue Note label with artists such as Harold Alexander and George ColemanGeorge Coleman
George Edward Coleman is an American hard bop saxophonist, bandleader, and composer, known chiefly for his work with Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock in the 1960s.-Biography:...
on lps such as Understanding and Accent on the Blues. Of particular note on the early sessions recorded for Blue Note both under his own name and also with George Braith
George Braith
George Braith is a soul-jazz saxophonist from New York.Braith is known for playing multiple horns at once, a technique pioneered by Roland Kirk...
, Don Wilkerson
Don Wilkerson
Don Wilkerson was an American soul jazz / R&B tenor saxophonist born in Moreauville, Louisiana, probably better known for his Blue Note Records recordings in the 1960s as bandleader with guitarist Grant Green. Prior to signing with the label, he worked frequently with Cannonball Adderley...
and Lou Donaldson
Lou Donaldson
Lou Donaldson is a jazz alto saxophonist. He was born in Badin, North Carolina. He is best known for his soulful, bluesy approach to playing the alto saxophone, although in his formative years he was, as many were of the bebop era, heavily influenced by Charlie Parker.His first recordings were...
was the superlative empathy he developed with guitarist Grant Green and drummer Ben Dixon - an organ trio whose work in the soul jazz genre remains unsurpassed to this day.
Since the resurgence in interest in music from this period Blue Note has unearthed many sessions that lay in the vaults. LPs such as Blue John which was actually penciled for release, but never was, and two fantastic (and forward looking) albums Boogaloo and Memphis New York Spirit saw the light of day and showed the world more of this exceptional artist's work.
He continued recording until the late 1990s and his LPs (listed below) are well worth finding. In these later years he developed a loyal following in both Japan and Europe - which he toured to great acclaim. He also played live in the US and abroad to great acclaim with several dates having been recorded by collectors. Most recently George Braith issued Eagle Eye Blues on his own label. In 2001, Patton performed "Money Jungle" with Ron Carter
Ron Carter
Ron Carter is an American jazz double-bassist. His appearances on over 2,500 albums make him one of the most-recorded bassists in jazz history, along with Milt Hinton, Ray Brown and Leroy Vinnegar. Carter is also an acclaimed cellist who has recorded numerous times on that...
and Black Star
Black Star
-In astronomy:*Dark star , a theoretical star that has a surface escape velocity that equals or exceeds the speed of light*Dark star , a theoretical star heated by dark matter annihilation in the early universe...
for the Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization is a not-for-profit, 501 3, international organization dedicated to fighting AIDS through pop culture.Since its inception in 1989, over 400 artists, producers and directors have contributed to over 15 compilation albums, related television programs and media events to raise...
's compilation album Red Hot + Indigo
Red Hot + Indigo
Red Hot + Indigo is the 13th entry from the Red Hot AIDS benefit series of compilation albums produced by Paul Heck. It marks the tenth anniversary of the Red Hot Organization , an international organization which uses mass media as a fundraising tool for its efforts at increasing public AIDS...
, a tribute to Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
, which raised money for various charities devoted to increasing AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
awareness and fighting the disease
As leader
- Along Came JohnAlong Came JohnAlong Came John is the debut album by American organist John Patton recorded in 1963 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine awarded the album 4 stars and stated "These original compositions may not all be memorable, but the band's interaction,...
- BN 84130 (5/4/1963) - Blue JohnBlue John (album)Blue John is an album by American organist John Patton recorded in 1963 but not released on the Blue Note label until 1986.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Steve Huey awarded the album 4½ stars and stated "While the grooving interplay between Patton, Green, and Dixon is as instinctive as ever,...
- BN 84143 (11/7&2/8/1963) - The Way I FeelThe Way I Feel (John Patton album)The Way I Feel is an album by American organist John Patton recorded in 1964 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine awarded the album 3 stars and stated "There are several fine moments on the record, and Green and Patton are typically...
- BN 84174 (19/6/1964) - Oh Baby!Oh Baby! (album)Oh Baby! is an album by American organist Big John Patton recorded in 1965 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Michael Erlewine awarded the album 4 stars and stated "Although a little on the light side, thanks to Patton and Green, the groove does go down".-Track...
- BN 84192 (8/3/1965) - Let 'em RollLet 'em Roll (album)Let 'em Roll is an album by American organist Big John Patton recorded in 1965 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Thom Jurek awarded the album 5 stars and stated "This is one of the least appreciated of Patton's records, and there's no reason for it; it is...
- BN 84239 (11/12/1965) - Got a Good Thing Goin'Got a Good Thing Goin'Got a Good Thing Goin' is an album by American organist Big John Patton recorded in 1966 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine awarded the album 4½ stars and stated "Fans of hard bop may find the songs a little too simple, but hot, up-tempo...
- BN 84229 (29/4/1966) - That Certain FeelingThat Certain Feeling (album)That Certain Feeling is an album by American organist John Patton recorded in 1968 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine awarded the album 3½ stars and stated "there are moments when everything comes together and it just cooks...
- BN 84281 (8/3/1968) - BoogalooBoogaloo (John Patton album)Boogaloo is an album by American organist John Patton recorded in 1968 but not released on the Blue Note label until 1995.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 2½ stars and stated "this is a routine and now-dated set of commercial late-'60s jazz/funk".-Track listing:#...
- BN 31878 (9/8/1968) - UnderstandingUnderstanding (John Patton album)Understanding is an album by American organist John Patton recorded in 1968 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Michael Erlewine awarded the album 2 stars and stated "If you like progressive sax, you might be able to stay in the groove. Not me, the sound keeps...
- BN 84306 (25/10/1968) - Accent on the BluesAccent on the BluesAccent on the Blues is an album by American organist John Patton recorded in 1969 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine awarded the album 3 stars and stated "Accent on the Blues is among the most atmospheric music Patton has ever made...
- BN 84340 (9/6&15/8/1969) - Memphis to New York SpiritMemphis to New York SpiritMemphis to New York Spirit is an album by American organist John Patton recorded in 1969 and 1970 but not released on the Blue Note label until 1996.-Reception:...
- BN 35221 (9/6/69,2/10/70) - Soul ConnectionSoul ConnectionSoul Connection is an album by American organist John Patton recorded in 1983 and released on the Nilva label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Thom Jurek awarded the album 3½ stars and stated "It is the lost gem in his catalog and showcases him in one of the most provocative quintets in his...
- NILVA 3406 (7/6/1983) - Blue Planet ManBlue Planet ManBlue Planet Man is a 1993 album by organist Big John Patton which features John Zorn. It was originally released on King Records/Paddle Wheel Records in Japan in 1993 and subsequently released in the USA on Evidence Records in 1997.-Reception:...
- PADDLE WHEEL (J) KICJ168 (12&13/4/1993) - Minor Swing - DIW 896 (21/12/1994)
- This One's for JaThis One's for JaThis One's for Ja is an album by American organist John Patton recorded in 1996 and released on the Japanese DIW label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine awarded the album 3½ stars and stated "Patton has made one of the rare comebacks in jazz, one that does justice to his...
- DIW 919 (26/12/1995) - Eagle Eye Blues with George BraithGeorge BraithGeorge Braith is a soul-jazz saxophonist from New York.Braith is known for playing multiple horns at once, a technique pioneered by Roland Kirk...
- GEORGE BRAITH RECORDS (2001)
As sideman
- Lloyd PriceLloyd PriceLloyd Price is an American R&B vocalist. Known as "Mr. Personality", after the name of one of his biggest million-selling hits...
Specialty Tracks - Lloyd Price - ABC Tracks
- Lou DonaldsonLou DonaldsonLou Donaldson is a jazz alto saxophonist. He was born in Badin, North Carolina. He is best known for his soulful, bluesy approach to playing the alto saxophone, although in his formative years he was, as many were of the bebop era, heavily influenced by Charlie Parker.His first recordings were...
- The Natural SoulThe Natural SoulThe Natural Soul is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label in 1962 and performed by Donaldson with Grant Green, Tommy Turrentine, Big John Patton, and Ben Dixon....
- BN 84108 (9/5/1962) - Fred Jackson - Fred Jackson session – Inc. Cowbell boogie – BN 21484 (21/6/62)
- Lou Donaldson - Good Gracious!Good Gracious!Good Gracious! is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label in 1963 and performed by Donaldson with Grant Green, Big John Patton, and Ben Dixon....
- BN 84125 (24/1/1963) - Jimmy SmithJimmy Smith (musician)Jimmy Smith was a jazz musician whose performances on the Hammond B-3 electric organ helped to popularize this instrument...
- Rockin' the BoatRockin' the BoatRockin' the Boat is an album by American jazz organist Jimmy Smith featuring performances recorded in 1963 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:...
- BN 84141 (7/2/1963) on tambourine - Grant GreenGrant GreenGrant Green was a jazz guitarist and composer....
- Blues for LouBlues for LouBlues for Lou is an album by American jazz guitarist Grant Green featuring performances recorded in 1963, but not released on the Blue Note label until 1999.-Reception:...
- BN CDP7 21438 (20/2&7/6/63) - Johnny GriffinJohnny GriffinJohn Arnold Griffin III was an American bop and hard bop tenor saxophonist.- Early life and career :Griffin studied music at DuSable High School in Chicago under Walter Dyett, starting out on clarinet before moving on to oboe and then alto sax...
& Matthew GeeMatthew GeeMatthew Gee was an American bebop trombonist and part time actor.Gee played trumpet and baritone as a child, and took up the trombone at age 11. After studying at Alabama State University, he played with Coleman Hawkins before doing a stint in the Army...
- Soul Groove - ATL 1431 (14/5/1963) - Grant Green - Am I BlueAm I Blue (album)Am I Blue is an album by American jazz guitarist Grant Green featuring performances recorded in 1963 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:...
- BN 84139 (16/5/1963) - Harold VickHarold VickHarold Vick was an American hard bop and soul jazz saxophonist and flautist born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina....
- Steppin' Out!Steppin' Out! (Harold Vick album)Steppin' Out! is the debut album by American saxophonist Harold Vick recorded in 1963 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4½ stars and stated "There are no real surprises, but no disappointments either on what would be Harold Vick's...
- BN 84138 (27/5/1963) - Lou Donaldson - A Man with a HornA Man with a HornA Man with a Horn is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson featuring sessions recorded for the Blue Note label in 1961 and 1963 , one performed by Donaldson with Brother Jack McDuff, Grant Green, and Joe Dukes, and one with Grant Green, Irvin Stokes, Big John Patton, and Ben Dixon.The album...
- BN CDP7 21436 (7/6/63) - Lou Donaldson - Signifyin'Signifyin' (album)Signifyin' is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Argo label in 1963 and performed by Donaldson with Roy Montrell, Tommy Turrentine, Big John Patton, and Ben Dixon....
- CADET 724 (17/7/1963) - Don WilkersonDon WilkersonDon Wilkerson was an American soul jazz / R&B tenor saxophonist born in Moreauville, Louisiana, probably better known for his Blue Note Records recordings in the 1960s as bandleader with guitarist Grant Green. Prior to signing with the label, he worked frequently with Cannonball Adderley...
- Shoutin'Shoutin'Shoutin' is an album by American saxophonist Don Wilkerson recorded in 1963 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine awarded the album 4 stars and stated "the high quality of the music on this album, as well as Wilkerson's other three records,...
- BN 84145 (29/7/1963) - Red HollowayRed HollowayJames W. "Red" Holloway is an American jazz tenor saxophonist.-Biography:Holloway started playing banjo and harmonica, switching to tenor sax when he was twelve years old...
- 'The Burner - PR 7299 (10/10/1963) - Lou Donaldson - Possum HeadPossum HeadPossum Head is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Argo label in 1964 and performed by Donaldson with Bill Hardman, Big John Patton, Ray Crawford, Ben Dixon, and Cleopas Morris....
- CADET 734 (28/1/1964) - Art BlakeyArt BlakeyArthur "Art" Blakey , known later as Abdullah Ibn Buhaina, was an American Grammy Award-winning jazz drummer and bandleader. He was a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community....
Hold On I'm Coming - LIMELIGHT 86038 (27/5/66) under pseudonym "Malcolm Bass" - George BraithGeorge BraithGeorge Braith is a soul-jazz saxophonist from New York.Braith is known for playing multiple horns at once, a technique pioneered by Roland Kirk...
Laughing Soul - PR 7474 (1/3/1966) - Grasella Oliphant - The Grass is Greener - ATL 1494 (1/3/1966)
- Clifford JordanClifford JordanClifford Laconia Jordan was a jazz saxophone player. While in Chicago, he performed with Max Roach, Sonny Stitt, and some rhythm and blues groups. He moved to New York City in 1957, after which he recorded three albums for Blue Note. He also recorded with Horace Silver, J.J. Johnson, Kenny...
- 'Soul Fountain – VORTEX 2101 (12/10/1966) - Grant Green - Iron CityIron City (album)Iron City is an album by American jazz guitarist Grant Green featuring performances recorded in 1967 and released on the Cobblestone label in 1972.-Reception:...
- COBBLESTONE 9002 (1967) - Johnny Little - Everything Must Change - MUSE 5158 (31/10/1977)
- John ZornJohn ZornJohn Zorn is an American avant-garde composer, arranger, record producer, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist. Zorn is a prolific artist: he has hundreds of album credits as performer, composer, or producer...
- The Big GundownThe Big Gundown (album)The Big Gundown is an album by American composer and saxophonist/multi-instrumentalist John Zorn. It comprises radically reworked covers of tracks by the Italian film composer Ennio Morricone....
- ELEKTRA/NONESUCH79139 (9/84-9/85) - John Zorn - SpillaneSpillane (album)Spillane is an album by American composer and saxophonist/multi-instrumentalist John Zorn, composed of three file-card pieces, as well as a work for voice, string quartet and turntables...
- ELEKTRA/NONESUCH 79172 (8/86-9/87) - Jimmy PonderJimmy PonderJimmy Ponder is an American jazz guitarist.Ponder started playing guitar at age 14, and was heavily influenced by Wes Montgomery and Kenny Burrell. He began playing with Charles Earland at 17, and in the following years played with Lou Donaldson, Houston Person, Donald Byrd, Stanley Turrentine,...
- Mean Streets-No Bridges - MUSE 5324 (19/6/1987) - Jimmy Ponder - Jump - MUSE 5347 (28/3/1988)
- Richard Pierson - Opening Statement – THE JAZZ LABEL LTD TJL001 (1997)