 Junior Mance © Judy Kirtley
In 1947 Mance left Roosevelt College to join Gene Ammons' band and began his recording career with Ammons. He joined Lester Young in 1949 for almost two years, and rejoined Ammons several months in 1951 before being drafted into the U. S. Army. He served in the 36th Army Band at Fort Knox, Kentucky along with Julian "Cannonball" Adderley.
After his discharge from the Army in 1953, Mance became part of the house rhythm section at the Bee Hive Jazz Club in Chicago for a year, and accompanied jazz greats such as Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Sonny Stitt, and many others.
In 1954 Mance joined and toured with Dinah Washington. In 1956 he reunited with Cannonball Adderley, becoming a member of Cannonball's first organized working band. The band did a series of recordings on Mercury Records.
Junior joined Dizzy Gillespie's band in 1958, a period Mance considers one of the highlights of his career. Besides the joy and fun of playing with Dizzy, he remembers this period as a great learning experience in musicianship, showmanship, and just about everything related to the business of music.
In 1961 Junior decided to form his own trio, following the release of his first recording as a leader. ("JUNIOR", Verve Records) In between gigs with his trio he played and recorded with the Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis/Johnny Griffin Quintet. With his trio he also accompanied singer Joe Williams in l963/64.
In 1988 Junior became a member of the faculty of the JAZZ AND CONTEMPORARY MUSIC PROGRAM at the New School University in New York City. He teaches classes in Blues, Blues Ensembles, and private individual lessons and instruction on piano and helping students in the development of their career in playing jazz.
On November 21, 1997, at Tampa Florida, Junior was inducted into THE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ HALL OF FAME, an honor Junior is extremely proud of, being in the elite company of many of his heroes, both past and present.
Junior Mance made his solo piano debut at Lincoln Center at the Kaplan Penthouse on October 5th - 7th of 2000. If you haven’t attended Harlem Speaks, yet know the power, majesty, grits and grace of jazz, or want to learn more about this profound musical art form, don’t miss this jazz legend’s discussion with museum executive director Loren Schoenberg.
Junior Mance, Piano September 6, 2007
at the Harlem School of the Arts
(645 St. Nicholas Avenue
For reservations: 212-348-8300
6:30pm-8:30pm.
FREE
This series is free and open to the public
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Thursday, 08 January 2009
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