Alton Purnell (April 16, 1911 – January 14, 1987) was an American jazz pianist. He was a longtime performer in Dixieland jazz.
Early life
Purnell was born in New Orleans on April 16, 1911. [1] His brother, Theodore, became a reed player. [1]
Later life and career
Purnell sang before playing piano professionally, beginning to do so locally in New Orleans in 1928. [2] He played in the 1930s with Isaiah Morgan, Alphonse Picou, Big Eye Louis Nelson, Sidney Desvigne, and Cousin Joe, and with Bunk Johnson in the middle of the 1940s. [2] Purnell joined George Lewis's band after Johnson's broke up in 1946, and remained there well into the 1950s, including for international tours. [2]
In 1957 Purnell relocated to Los Angeles. [2] There he worked with Teddy Buckner, Young Men from New Orleans, Joe Darensbourg, Kid Ory, Barney Bigard, and Ben Pollack. [2] He also recorded extensively as a leader, including for Warner Bros. Records, GHB, and Alligator Jazz. [2] He toured internationally as a guest soloist from 1964. [1] Purnell died in Inglewood, California on January 14, 1987. [2]
References
- ^ a b c Joly, Marcel (2003). "Alton Purnell". Oxford Music Online. Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.J365500.
- ^ a b c d e f g Yanow, Scott "Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
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