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John Patton (musician)

January 01, 1970

John Patton (July 12, 1935 – March 19, 2002)[1] was an American jazz, blues and R&B pianist and organist often known by his nickname, Big John Patton.

John Patton
Also known asBig John Patton
Born(1935-07-12)July 12, 1935
Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
DiedMarch 19, 2002(2002-03-19) (aged 66)
Montclair, New Jersey, U.S.
GenresJazz, blues, soul jazz, R&B
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Organ, piano
LabelsBlue Note, DIW

Patton was one of the most in-demand organists during the golden era of the Hammond B-3 organs between 1963 and 1970.[2] [3] He recorded extensively for Blue Note and performed or collaborated with Lloyd Price, Grant Green, and Lou Donaldson. Patton had a lower profile in the 1970s but enjoyed a comeback in the 1980s and 1990s, often in collaboration with saxophonist John Zorn. His later music incorporated modal and free jazz.[2]

Biography edit

John Patton, born in Kansas City, Missouri, United States,[4] was an American jazz composer and performer. He developed the nickname "Big John", not because of his size, but because of a song. "Remember the tune, 'Big Bad John'? ... yeah, well, that's what they started calling me and at first I didn't understand it but I love it now. It's just a name; if it's going to help you, then boogie on up in there!"[3]

Patton's mother was a church pianist who taught him how to play fundamentals.[2] When he was about 13 years old, in 1948, he began to teach himself. He was inspired by the music he heard in his hometown, but he wanted to play beyond the Kansas City jazz scene. After high school, he headed East and found professional work. In 1954 in Washington, D.C., he found out that R&B star Lloyd Price was playing at the Howard Theater, and that Price had just fired his pianist and needed a new player. Patton played a few bars from the introduction to "Lawdy, Miss Clawdy". He was given the job.[3]

It was a relationship that would last until 1959.[5] "I learned everything with Lloyd," Patton said. "I was his 'straw boss' and the leader and he dumped all this on me and that was an experience that I got a chance to deal with."[3] He recruited top players for Lloyd, including drummer Ben Dixon.[3] Dixon, another self-taught player, encouraged John to check out the Hammond B-3 organ when they played in clubs that had one. "Some of the clubs that we would play in would have an organ off to the side and every time I would have a chance to get with that organ, man, it was just fascinating to me...especially the bass line."[3]

A man called "Butts" first showed Patton how to set up the organ and find the right registrations.[3] When he moved to New York in late 1959, and began playing gigs around town,[5] Herman Green, a friend who played with Lionel Hampton's band, took him to a Hammond in Asbury Park, New Jersey, and helped him learn how to play it. Patton was fascinated with the differences in the nuance of the sound that an electric organ could produce. "Man, listen, it's so sensitive and it will reveal its secrets if you try to get up in there and learn it...and learn the sound and contact. You can't play it like a piano 'cause that's another thing all together - The notes are the same but, see, that electricity puts another 'jammie' on you, you know what I mean? You must deal with touch and so many other things...and I was very frustrated at first."[3]

Patton set up his own Hammond organ trio in 1959.[6] Blue Note artist Ike Quebec became his mentor, introducing him into Blue Note and to one of the most important relationships in his career, with guitarist Grant Green.[3] "Grant is my love...I never heard nobody play the guitar like that brother...Grant started playing when he was about twelve and he was out there a long time...and I was so thrilled that I got a chance to play with him, man, but he was greedy, (like a) Gemini, (but) I was a mule...I didn't care; I sho' learned!"[3]

He worked as a sideman for Lou Donaldson for three and a half years, until 1964.[6] "He says 'Play the BLUES'," Patton recalled. "You don't mess with Lou 'cause Lou knows how to play the Be Bop and Blues and Rhythm and Blues ... I am very fortunate that I got a chance to spend that much time with him and I can't thank him enough."[3] Of his influences, Patton stated "I love trumpet, I love trombone, I love reeds...I love it all...Musicians like Fred Jackson, Richard Williams, Grant Green, Ben Dixon and Johnny Griffin...I can go on and on ...This is where I got my concept."[3]

The acid jazz movement in the 1980s caused a resurgence in interest in Patton's music in the UK. Blue Note released many sessions that had not previously been released, including Blue John with Grant Green and George Braith (listed as Braithwaite on the LP). Patton made several trips to England where he was embraced by the acid jazz community.[3]

Patton died from complications arising from diabetes, in Montclair, New Jersey, on March 19, 2002.[1]

Discography edit

As leader edit

As sideman edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Ratliff, Ben (March 25, 2002). "John Patton, 66, Organ Player With a Jazzy, Laid-Back Style". The New York Times.
  2. ^ a b c "Big John Patton Biography". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Fallico, Pete. . Jazzateria.com. Archived from the original on January 17, 2016. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  4. ^ Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 1919. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  5. ^ a b "Big John Patton". All About Jazz. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  6. ^ a b "Soul Jazz Organ Star". The Scotsman. Retrieved March 14, 2018.

External links edit

  • John Patton discography at Discogs
  • John Patton discography on jazzlists.com

January 01, 1970
john, patton, musician, john, patton, july, 1935, march, 2002, american, jazz, blues, pianist, organist, often, known, nickname, john, patton, john, pattonalso, known, asbig, john, pattonborn, 1935, july, 1935kansas, city, missouri, diedmarch, 2002, 2002, aged. John Patton July 12 1935 March 19 2002 1 was an American jazz blues and R amp B pianist and organist often known by his nickname Big John Patton John PattonAlso known asBig John PattonBorn 1935 07 12 July 12 1935Kansas City Missouri U S DiedMarch 19 2002 2002 03 19 aged 66 Montclair New Jersey U S GenresJazz blues soul jazz R amp BOccupation s MusicianInstrument s Organ pianoLabelsBlue Note DIW Patton was one of the most in demand organists during the golden era of the Hammond B 3 organs between 1963 and 1970 2 3 He recorded extensively for Blue Note and performed or collaborated with Lloyd Price Grant Green and Lou Donaldson Patton had a lower profile in the 1970s but enjoyed a comeback in the 1980s and 1990s often in collaboration with saxophonist John Zorn His later music incorporated modal and free jazz 2 Contents 1 Biography 2 Discography 2 1 As leader 2 2 As sideman 3 References 4 External linksBiography editJohn Patton born in Kansas City Missouri United States 4 was an American jazz composer and performer He developed the nickname Big John not because of his size but because of a song Remember the tune Big Bad John yeah well that s what they started calling me and at first I didn t understand it but I love it now It s just a name if it s going to help you then boogie on up in there 3 Patton s mother was a church pianist who taught him how to play fundamentals 2 When he was about 13 years old in 1948 he began to teach himself He was inspired by the music he heard in his hometown but he wanted to play beyond the Kansas City jazz scene After high school he headed East and found professional work In 1954 in Washington D C he found out that R amp B star Lloyd Price was playing at the Howard Theater and that Price had just fired his pianist and needed a new player Patton played a few bars from the introduction to Lawdy Miss Clawdy He was given the job 3 It was a relationship that would last until 1959 5 I learned everything with Lloyd Patton said I was his straw boss and the leader and he dumped all this on me and that was an experience that I got a chance to deal with 3 He recruited top players for Lloyd including drummer Ben Dixon 3 Dixon another self taught player encouraged John to check out the Hammond B 3 organ when they played in clubs that had one Some of the clubs that we would play in would have an organ off to the side and every time I would have a chance to get with that organ man it was just fascinating to me especially the bass line 3 A man called Butts first showed Patton how to set up the organ and find the right registrations 3 When he moved to New York in late 1959 and began playing gigs around town 5 Herman Green a friend who played with Lionel Hampton s band took him to a Hammond in Asbury Park New Jersey and helped him learn how to play it Patton was fascinated with the differences in the nuance of the sound that an electric organ could produce Man listen it s so sensitive and it will reveal its secrets if you try to get up in there and learn it and learn the sound and contact You can t play it like a piano cause that s another thing all together The notes are the same but see that electricity puts another jammie on you you know what I mean You must deal with touch and so many other things and I was very frustrated at first 3 Patton set up his own Hammond organ trio in 1959 6 Blue Note artist Ike Quebec became his mentor introducing him into Blue Note and to one of the most important relationships in his career with guitarist Grant Green 3 Grant is my love I never heard nobody play the guitar like that brother Grant started playing when he was about twelve and he was out there a long time and I was so thrilled that I got a chance to play with him man but he was greedy like a Gemini but I was a mule I didn t care I sho learned 3 He worked as a sideman for Lou Donaldson for three and a half years until 1964 6 He says Play the BLUES Patton recalled You don t mess with Lou cause Lou knows how to play the Be Bop and Blues and Rhythm and Blues I am very fortunate that I got a chance to spend that much time with him and I can t thank him enough 3 Of his influences Patton stated I love trumpet I love trombone I love reeds I love it all Musicians like Fred Jackson Richard Williams Grant Green Ben Dixon and Johnny Griffin I can go on and on This is where I got my concept 3 The acid jazz movement in the 1980s caused a resurgence in interest in Patton s music in the UK Blue Note released many sessions that had not previously been released including Blue John with Grant Green and George Braith listed as Braithwaite on the LP Patton made several trips to England where he was embraced by the acid jazz community 3 Patton died from complications arising from diabetes in Montclair New Jersey on March 19 2002 1 Discography editAs leader edit Along Came John Blue Note 1963 Blue John Blue Note 1963 The Way I Feel Blue Note 1964 Oh Baby Blue Note 1965 Let Em Roll Blue Note 1965 Got a Good Thing Goin Blue Note 1966 That Certain Feeling Blue Note 1968 Understanding Blue Note 1968 Accent on the Blues Blue Note 1969 Soul Connection Nilva 1983 Just A Memory Justin Time 2008 Blue Planet Man Paddle Wheel 1993 Evidence 1997 Minor Swing DIW 1994 Boogaloo Blue Note 1995 rec 1968 Memphis to New York Spirit Blue Note 1996 rec 1969 70 This One s for Ja DIW 1998 rec 1996 Eagle Eye Blues Excellence 2006 live rec 2001 As sideman edit With Lou Donaldson The Natural Soul Blue Note 1962 Good Gracious Blue Note 1963 Signifyin Argo 1963 Possum Head Argo 1964 Ha Mercy Cadet 1971 A Man with a Horn Blue Note 1999 With Grant Green Am I Blue Blue Note 1964 Iron City Cobblestone rec 1967 rel 1972 Blues for Lou Blue Note rec 1963 rel 1999 With Jimmy Ponder Mean Streets No Bridges Muse 1987 Jimmy Ponder Jump Muse 1989 With John Zorn The Big Gundown Elektra Nonesuch 1986 Spillane Elektra Nonesuch 1987 With others George Braith Laughing Soul Prestige 1966 Ed Cherry Second Look Groovin High 1994 Johnny Griffin amp Matthew Gee Soul Groove Atlantic 1963 Red Holloway The Burner Prestige 1964 Clifford Jordan Soul Fountain Vortex 1970 Johnny Lytle Everything Must Change Muse 1978 Grassella Oliphant The Grass Is Greener Atlantic 1967 Lloyd Price The Exciting Lloyd Price ABC Paramount 1959 Harold Vick Steppin Out Blue Note 1963 Don Wilkerson Shoutin Blue Note 1963 References edit a b Ratliff Ben March 25 2002 John Patton 66 Organ Player With a Jazzy Laid Back Style The New York Times a b c Big John Patton Biography AllMusic All Media Network Retrieved March 14 2018 a b c d e f g h i j k l m Fallico Pete Big John Patton Jazzateria com Archived from the original on January 17 2016 Retrieved March 14 2018 Colin Larkin ed 1992 The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music First ed Guinness Publishing p 1919 ISBN 0 85112 939 0 a b Big John Patton All About Jazz Retrieved March 14 2018 a b Soul Jazz Organ Star The Scotsman Retrieved March 14 2018 External links editJohn Patton discography at Discogs John Patton discography on jazzlists com Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John Patton musician amp oldid 1215210778, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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