Willie Gant
Encyclopedia
Willie "The Tiger" Gant was an American jazz
bandleader and pianist.
Gant began on piano at age 12, and played in local New York clubs and cafes from age 17. He played with Lillyn Brown & Her Jazzbo Syncopators in 1921, and formed his own band, the Ramblers, that same year. Over the course of the next six years, Gant's band rivaled Fats Waller
in popularity; it also served as early experience for many noted sideman, including Freddie Green
, Ward Pinkett
, Billy Taylor
, Happy Caldwell
, and Manzie Johnson
. Gant recorded some sides in the 1920s, and after the dissolution of his Ramblers devoted himself almost exclusively to solo piano work. He played in New York at places like the Hotel Fairfax and Carutti's from the 1930s into the 1950s.
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...
bandleader and pianist.
Gant began on piano at age 12, and played in local New York clubs and cafes from age 17. He played with Lillyn Brown & Her Jazzbo Syncopators in 1921, and formed his own band, the Ramblers, that same year. Over the course of the next six years, Gant's band rivaled Fats Waller
Fats Waller
Fats Waller , born Thomas Wright Waller, was a jazz pianist, organist, composer, singer, and comedic entertainer...
in popularity; it also served as early experience for many noted sideman, including Freddie Green
Freddie Green
Frederick William "Freddie" Green was an American swing jazz guitarist. He was especially noted for his sophisticated rhythm guitar in big band settings, particularly for the Count Basie orchestra, where he was part of the "All-American Rhythm Section" with Basie on piano, Jo Jones on drums, and...
, Ward Pinkett
Ward Pinkett
Ward Pinkett was an American jazz trumpeter remembered for playing two notable solos in recordings by jazz pianist and bandleader Jelly Roll Morton. His promising musical career was cut short by alcoholism and illness....
, Billy Taylor
Billy Taylor (jazz bassist)
William Taylor Sr. was an American jazz bassist. He was born Washington, D.C. and died in Fairfax, Virginia.Taylor began playing tuba but later picked up bass alongside it...
, Happy Caldwell
Happy Caldwell
Albert W. "Happy" Caldwell was an American jazz clarinetist and tenor saxophonist....
, and Manzie Johnson
Manzie Johnson
Manzie Johnson was an American jazz drummer.Johnson was raised in New York, where he played piano and violin before switching to drums. He worked with Willie Gant's Ramblers , June Clark, Elmer Snowden, Joe Steele, Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton , James P...
. Gant recorded some sides in the 1920s, and after the dissolution of his Ramblers devoted himself almost exclusively to solo piano work. He played in New York at places like the Hotel Fairfax and Carutti's from the 1930s into the 1950s.