Willard McDaniel

Willard McDaniel (November 15, 1915 – December 13, 1961)[1] was an American jazz and blues singer and pianist.

He was born in Stamps, Arkansas.[1] He started playing the piano at an early age. He lived in California from the mid-1930s, where he began playing in Hollywood with Roy Milton's group, later working as a session musician at Specialty Records. He performed in a distinctive stride piano style that has been compared to Fats Waller. McDaniel released most of his work during the 1950s. In 1958, Crown Records issued his album 88 a la Carte, with McDaniel leading a jazz trio performing standards in an easy listening style.[2]

He died in 1961 in Los Angeles at the age of 46.[1]

His work is also featured on other records, including Singin' the Blues and was a member of the band Gene Phillips & His Rhythm Aces.[3]

He contributed to films such as Young Man with a Horn, Panic in the Streets and The World in His Arms.[4] Compilations include 100 Christmas Blues - Songs To Get You Through The Cold released in 2014, Blues 'N Boogie in 2012, and Specialty Legends of Boogie Woogie released in 1992.