I Hear Music

This blog returns, after a long absence. I’ll try to post something most months. Thanks for reading. This is part two of two per exploring Detroit music history. This study is connected with a physical exhibit that was briefly on display at the library of the McNichols campus of the University of Detroit Mercy.

In the 1920’s McKinney’s Cotton Pickers were huge.  They were a top-notch big band based in Detroit.  They reformed, with some original member Dave Wilborn, in the 1970’s as the New McKinney’s Cotton Pickers.  Wilborn, who sang and played banjo, died during a performance.

Other Detroit Jazz groups have included such bands as Griot Galaxy, the Contemporary Jazz Quintet, the Guerilla Jam Band, the Hot Club of Detroit and the Planet D Nonet. Many other local bands exist that were named after the bandleader and/or band members.

The singer Sippie Wallace moved to Detroit in 1929, in her early 30’s.  She lived here for nearly 50 years.

Born in Detroit:

Tommy Flanagan, Piano

(1930-2001)

Barry Harris, Piano

(1929-2021)

Hugh Lawson, Piano

(1935-1997)

Roland Hanna, Piano

(1932-2002)

Kenny Cox, Piano

(1940-2008)

Bob Seeley

(Born in 1928)

Alice Coltrane, Piano and Harp

(1937-2007)

Dorothy Ashby, Harp

(1932-1986)

Milt Jackson, Vibraphone

(1923-1999)

Curtis Fuller, Trombone

(1932-2021)

Donald Byrd, Trumpet

(1932-2002)

Julius Watkins, French Horn

(1921-1977)

Doug Watkins, Bass

(1934-1962)

Major Holley, Bass

(1924-1990)

Roy Brooks, Drums Etc.

(1938-2005)

Sonny Red, Saxophone

(1932-1981)

Kenny Burrell, Guitar

(Born in 1931)

Frank Isola, Drums

(1925-2004)

Louis Hayes, Drums

(Born in 1937)

James Carter, Saxophone Etc.

(born in 1969)

Regina Carter, Violin

(born in 1966)

Johnny O’Neal, Piano etc.

(Born in 1956)

Wendell Harrison, Saxophone Etc.

(Born in 1942)

Lyman Woodard, Organ

(1942-2009)

Marian Hayden, Bass

(born in 1952)

Faruq Z. Bey (Saxophone)

(1942-2012)

A. Spencer Barefield

(Born in 1953)

Jaribu Shahid, Bass

(born in 1966)

Allan Barnes, Saxophone

(1949-2016)

Kenny Garrett, Saxophone, Flute, Piano Etc.

(born in 1960)

Raised in Detroit:

Yusef Lateef, Saxophone, Flute, Etc.

(1920-2013)

Marcus Belgrave, Trumpet

(1936-2015)

Howard McGhee, Trumpet

(1918-1987)

Paul Chambers, Bass

(1935-1969)

Charles McPherson, Saxophone

(born in 1939)

Lucky Thompson, Saxophone

(1924-2005)

Wardell Grey, Saxophone

(1921-1955)

Terry Pollard, Piano

(1931-2009)

Geri Allen, Piano

(1957-2017)

From Hamtramck:

Bob Zurke, Piano, Etc.

(1912-1944)

From Ferndale:
Ron Carter, Bass

(Born 1937)

From Highland Park:

Pepper Adams, Baritone Saxophone

(1930-1986)

From Saginaw:

Sonny Stitt, Saxophone

(1924-1982)

From Flint:

Betty Carter, Singer

(1929-1998)

She was from Flint but grew up in Detroit.

From Pontiac:
The Jones brothers were all important musicians with long careers.  Hank Jones on piano, Thad Jones on trumpet and Elvin Jones on drums.

Geri Allen, Piano

(1957-2017)

She was from Pontiac but grew up in Detroit.

From Royal Oak and Bloomfield Township:

Brad Felt, Tuba and Euphonium

(1956-2011)

Others related to or connected with Detroit include Jean Goldkette, Joe Henderson, Sam Sanders, Frank Foster, J.R. Monterose, George Benson, Lary Nozero (saxophones), Bud Spangler, Danny Spencer, Francisco Mora Catlett (drums), Pamela Wise (piano), Ron English (guitar), Charles Moore (trumpet) and Phil Ranelin (trombone).  These people spent a lot of time here, sometimes for most of their musical careers.

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