Norris Turney
Encyclopedia
Norris Turney was an American jazz
flautist and saxophonist.
Turney began his career in the Midwest, playing in territory band
s such as the Jeter-Pillars Orchestra
. He played with Tiny Bradshaw
in Chicago
before moving to New York City
, where he played with the Billy Eckstine
Orchestra in 1945-46. Turney had little luck in New York, however, and returned to Ohio to play in local ensembles through the 1950s. He toured with Ray Charles
in 1967, then was hired by Duke Ellington
, in whose orchestra he played from 1969 to 1973. He was hired to play alto saxophone as an "insurance policy" due to the failing health of Johnny Hodges
. He was the first flute soloist to ever play in Ellington's orchestra. He also played tenor saxophone in the band.
Following his tenure with Ellington, he played with the Savoy Sultans
and the Newport All-Stars, as well as in several pit orchestras. Turney recorded as a leader between 1975 and 1978, and released the CD, Big, Sweet 'n Blue in 1993 on Mapleshade Records
. He died of kidney failure in 2001.
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...
flautist and saxophonist.
Turney began his career in the Midwest, playing in territory band
Territory band
Territory bands were dance bands that crisscrossed specific regions of the United States from the 1920s through the 1960s. Beginning in the 1920s, the bands typically had 8 to 12 musicians. These bands typically played one-nighters, 6 or 7 nights a week at venues like VFW halls, Elks Lodges,...
s such as the Jeter-Pillars Orchestra
Jeter-Pillars Orchestra
Jeter-Pillars Orchestra was a jazz troupe led by altoist James Jeter and tenor-saxophonist Hayes Pillars.Jeter and Pillars were previously members of Alphonso Trent's big band. After that outfit split in 1933 they formed the group, which subsequently became the house band at the Club Plantation in St...
. He played with Tiny Bradshaw
Tiny Bradshaw
Myron C. Bradshaw was an American jazz and rhythm and blues bandleader, singer, composer, pianist, and drummer from Youngstown, Ohio.-Early years:...
in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
before moving to 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...
, where he played with the Billy Eckstine
Billy Eckstine
William Clarence Eckstine was an American singer of ballads and a bandleader of the swing era. 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...
Orchestra in 1945-46. Turney had little luck in New York, however, and returned to Ohio to play in local ensembles through the 1950s. He toured with Ray Charles
Ray Charles
Ray Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
in 1967, then was hired by Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
, in whose orchestra he played from 1969 to 1973. He was hired to play alto saxophone as an "insurance policy" due to the failing health of Johnny Hodges
Johnny Hodges
John Cornelius "Johnny" Hodges was an American alto saxophonist, best known for his solo work with Duke Ellington's big band. He played lead alto in the saxophone section for many years, except the period between 1932–1946 when Otto Hardwick generally played first chair...
. He was the first flute soloist to ever play in Ellington's orchestra. He also played tenor saxophone in the band.
Following his tenure with Ellington, he played with the 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,...
and the Newport All-Stars, as well as in several pit orchestras. Turney recorded as a leader between 1975 and 1978, and released the CD, Big, Sweet 'n Blue in 1993 on Mapleshade Records
Mapleshade Records
Mapleshade Records is an American jazz based record label.Mapleshade was founded in 1989 by Pierre Sprey, who had been recording since 1986. Prior to his career in jazz recording, Sprey had worked as an aeronautical engineer in The Pentagon, designing A-10 and F-16 fighter jets. The label is based...
. He died of kidney failure in 2001.