Chris Anderson (pianist)
Chris Anderson (February 26, 1926 – February 4, 2008) was an American jazz pianist, who might be best known as an influence on Herbie Hancock.[1]
Chris Anderson | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 26, 1926 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | February 4, 2008 (aged 81) Manhattan, New York |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1945–2000 |
| Associated acts | Herbie Hancock, Charlie Haden, Dinah Washington |
Biography
Born in Chicago and self-taught, Anderson began playing in Chicago clubs in the mid-1940s and played with Von Freeman and Charlie Parker, among others.[2] Hired as Dinah Washington's accompanist, Anderson's tenure with Washington was brief. Washington, who changed accompanists frequently, fired Anderson in New York six weeks after hiring him, and Anderson decided to stay in the city.
In 1960 he recorded what might be his best regarded album My Romance (VeeJay, 1960) with bassist Bill Lee and drummer Art Taylor. His student Herbie Hancock praised him highly, saying: "After hearing him play just once, I begged him to let me study with him."[1]
Despite the respect of his peers, Anderson had difficulty finding work or popular acclaim due in large part to his disabilities. He was blind and his bones were unusually fragile, causing numerous fractures, which at times compromised his ability to perform at the times or places requested,[3] although he continued to record until he was well into his 70s. A Down Beat profile indicated he had "Osteogenesis", probably meaning osteogenesis imperfecta.[4]
He died of a stroke February 4, 2008 in Manhattan, New York City, at the age of 81.
Discography
As leader/co-leader
| Year recorded | Title | Label | Personnel/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | My Romance | Vee-Jay | Trio, with Bill Lee (bass), Art Taylor (drums) |
| 1961 | Inverted Image | Jazzland | Most tracks trio, with Bill Lee (bass), Walter Perkins (drums); some tracks trio with Lee (bass), Philly Joe Jones (drums) |
| 1987 | Love Locked Out | Mapleshade | Solo piano; Anderson also sings on two tracks |
| 1991 | Blues One | DIW | Trio, with Ray Drummond (bass), Billy Higgins (drums) |
| 1994 | Live at Bradley's | Alsut | Some tracks solo piano; some tracks trio, with Ray Drummond (bass), Frank Gant; one track trio, with Drummond (bass), Billy Higgins (drums); in concert |
| 1996 | Solo Ballads | Alsut | Solo piano |
| 1997 | None but the Lonely Heart | Naim | Duo, with Charlie Haden (bass) |
| 1998 | You Don't Know What Love Is | Naim | Quartet, with Sabina Sciubba (vocals), David Williams (bass), Billy Higgins (drums) |
| 1998 | From the Heart | Naim | Solo piano |
| 2001 | Solo Ballads Two | Alsut | Solo piano |
As sideman
With Clifford Jordan
- Remembering Me-Me (Muse, 1977)
- The Mellow Side of Clifford Jordan (Mapleshade, 1997)
With Charlie Parker
- An Evening at Home with the Bird (Savoy, 1961)
- One Night in Chicago (Savoy, 1980)
With others
- Sun Ra, Sun Ra Sextet at the Village Vanguard (Rounder, 1993)
- Frank Strozier, Long Night (Jazzland, 1961)
References
- "The Last Post" Obituary at jazzhouse.org
- Cook, Richard (2005). Richard Cook's Jazz Encyclopedia. London: Penguin Books. pp. 13–14. ISBN 0-141-00646-3.
- John S. Wilson, "Pop Jazz", The New York Times, September 24, 1982.
- "Not close to lonely" from Down Beat via highbeam
