Bernard Sylvester Addison (April 15, 1905[1] – December 18, 1990) was an American jazz guitarist.
Bernard Addison | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Bernard Sylvester Addison |
| Born | April 15, 1905 Annapolis, Maryland, U.S. |
| Died | December 18, 1990 (aged 85) Rockville Centre, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz, swing |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar |
| Years active | 1920–1970s |
Career edit
Addison was born in Annapolis, Maryland.[1] At an early age, he learned mandolin and violin.
Career edit
After moving to Washington, D.C. in 1920, Addison played banjo, first with Claude Hopkins.[1] He then moved to New York City[1] and worked with Sonny Thompson and recorded for the first time in 1924. During the 1920s, he dropped banjo for acoustic guitar. In the 1920s and 1930s, he played with Louis Armstrong, Adelaide Hall, Fletcher Henderson, Bubber Miley, Art Tatum, and Fats Waller, and recorded with Red Allen, Coleman Hawkins, Horace Henderson, Freddie Jenkins, Sara Martin, Jelly Roll Morton, and Mamie Smith.[2]
In 1936, John Mills of the Mills Brothers died, and Addison replaced him on guitar.[1] For two years he toured and recorded with the Mills Brothers, increasing his popularity. After departing the Mills Brothers, he had little trouble finding work. He recorded with Benny Carter and Mezz Mezzrow.[1] He played with Stuff Smith and recorded with Billie Holiday. In 1940, he recorded with Armstrong and Sidney Bechet. He began to lead bands until he was drafted during World War II. In the late 1950s, he reunited with Henderson and played guitar for the Ink Spots.[1] He performed at the Newport Jazz Festival with Eubie Blake[1] in 1960 and recorded a solo album. The rest of his career he spent teaching.[2]
Addison's only album as a leader, Pete's Last Date, was reissued under the name of saxophonist Pete Brown.[3]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Who's Who of Jazz (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 8. ISBN 0-85112-580-8.
- ^ a b Yanow, Scott (2013). The Great Jazz Guitarists. San Francisco: Backbeat. p. 3. ISBN 978-1-61713-023-6.
- ^ Yanow, Scott. "Pete's Last Date - Pete Brown". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 February 2019.