Eddie Jefferson

Eddie Jefferson (3 August 1918 - 9 May 1979) was a celebrated jazz vocalist and lyricist. He is credited with inventing vocalese, a musical style in which lyrics are set to an instrumental composition or solo. Perhaps his best-known song is "Moody's Mood for Love", though it was first recorded by King Pleasure, who cited Jefferson as an influence. Jefferson's songs "Parker's Mood" and "Filthy McNasty" were also hits.

Jefferson's last recorded performance was at the Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase in Chicago and was released on video by Rhapsody Films. He shared the stand with Richie Cole (alto sax), John Campbell (piano), Kelly Sill (bass) and Joel Spencer (drums). The performance was part of a tour that Jefferson and Cole led together. Their opening night in Detroit was at the legendary Baker's Keyboard Lounge, a jazz club built in the 1920's that has played host to everyone from Dexter Gordon to Sonny Stitt. Eddie Jefferson was shot and killed at Baker's on May 8th 1979, two days after the Chicago performance. He had left the club with fellow band leader Cole around 1:35 a.m. and was shot while walking out of the building. A late-model Lincoln Continental was spotted speeding away from the scene. The driver was later picked up by Detroit police and identified as a disgruntled dancer whom Jefferson once worked with and had fired from a gig. The suspect did not have enough evidence against him to be held in jail and was later acquitted.

External links

* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:5gjteau04xh7~T1 Eddie Jefferson on AllMusicGuide]