John Adriano Acea

John Adriano Acea (September 11, 1917 – July 25, 1963) was an American jazz pianist. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Adriano Acea of Cuba and Leona Acea of Virginia. One of six children, Johnny and was expected to die during his first decade of life from Rheumatic fever, as did his youngest sister, Anna. In addition to beating the odds, he would end up with a rather impressive résumé backing several notable artists.

Session musician collaborations

During the 1930s, Acea started out as a trumpeter and saxophonist. Upon conclusion of military service (US Army) in 1946, he switched to playing the piano. He would later become a sought-after session musician with jazz veterans, including (but not limited to):

• Eddie Lockjaw Davis
• Cootie Williams
• Dizzy Gillespie
• Illinois Jacquet
• Dinah Washington
• Grant Green
• James Moody
• Joe Newman
• Zoot Sims

Compositions

Acea is listed as co-composer on "Nice 'N' Greasy" – the closing track to Lou Donaldson's 1962 effort, The Natural Soul. He is also credited as a composer on recordings by Gillespie, Jacquet and Moody.

Discography

As Sideman

With Leo Parker

• Rollin' with Leo (Blue Note, 1961)

With Don Wilkerson

• Elder Don (Blue Note, 1962)

External links

• John "Johnny" Adriano Acea at Allmusic

Persondata
Name	Acea, John Adriano
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	September 11, 1917
Place of birth
Date of death	July 25, 1963
Place of death