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Artist
Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson
12+ albums
bluesjazzsaxophonejump bluesrhythm and blues
about
Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson (December 18, 1917 - July 2, 1988) was an American jazz and rhythm and blues alto saxophonist and blues shouter. After working in the Milton Larkins and Cootie Williams orchestras, he established his own big band in 1945. In 1947 he had a major rhythm and blues hit with "Old Maid Boogie/Kidney Stew Blues". Vinson recorded both jazz and rhythm and blues. He wrote "Tune Up" and "Four" for Miles Davis, as well as the classic blues numbers "Somebody Done Stole My Cherry Red," "Person to Person," and "They Call Me Mr. Cleanhead." In live performance he would alternate blues numbers with jazz numbers like Thelonious Monk's "Straight No Chaser." Even in his blues numbers, his saxophone style has a distinctly modern bebop sound. He acquired his nickname after a hair-straightening mishap left him bald. ADDITIONALLY: Vinson was born in Houston, Texas. He was a member of the horn section in Milton Larkin's orchestra, which he joined in the late 1930s. At various times, he sat next to Arnett Cobb, Illinois Jacquet, and Tom Archia, while other members of the band included Cedric Haywood and Wild Bill Davis. After exiting Larkin's employment in 1941, Vinson picked up a few vocal tricks while on tour with bluesman Big Bill Broonzy. He then moved to New York and joined the Cootie Williams Orchestra from 1942 to 1945, recording such tunes as "Cherry Red". Vinson struck out on his own in 1945, forming his own large band, signing with Mercury Records, and enjoying a
top songs
albums
Kidney Stew (The Definitive Black & Blue Sessions)
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Pioneers of Rhythm & Blues Volume 7
Meat's Too High - Blues, Boogie & Bebop
Blues, Boogie & Bebop - Meat's Too High
Kidney Stew
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The Best Of Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour
Old Maid Boogie
The Original Cleanhead
Kidney Stew is fine
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Midnight Music
Greatest Hits
Blues In The Night Vol. 2: The Late Show