Chris Anderson (pianist)
Chris Anderson (February 26, 1926 – February 4, 2008) was an American jazz pianist, who might be best known as an influence on Herbie Hancock.[1]
Chris Anderson | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 26, 1926 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | February 4, 2008 (aged 81) Manhattan, New York |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Piano |
| Years active | 1945–2000 |
Biography
Born in Chicago on February 26, 1926, Anderson taught himself piano and started playing in Chicago clubs in the mid-1940s and played with Von Freeman and Charlie Parker, among others.[2]
Despite the respect of his peers, Anderson had difficulty finding work or popular acclaim due in large part to his disabilities.[3] He was blind and his bones were unusually fragile, causing numerous fractures, which at times compromised his ability to perform at the times or places requested,[3] although he continued to record until he was well into his 70s. A Down Beat profile indicated he had "Osteogenesis", probably meaning osteogenesis imperfecta.[4]
He died of a stroke on February 4, 2008, in Manhattan, New York City, at the age of 81.
Discography
As leader/co-leader
| Year recorded | Title | Label | Personnel/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | My Romance | Vee-Jay | Trio, with Bill Lee (bass), Art Taylor (drums) |
| 1961 | Inverted Image | Jazzland | Most tracks trio, with Bill Lee (bass), Walter Perkins (drums); some tracks trio with Lee (bass), Philly Joe Jones (drums) |
| 1987 | Love Locked Out | Mapleshade | Solo piano; Anderson also sings on two tracks |
| 1991 | Blues One | DIW | Trio, with Ray Drummond (bass), Billy Higgins (drums) |
| 1994 | Live at Bradley's | Alsut | Some tracks solo piano; some tracks trio, with Ray Drummond (bass), Frank Gant; one track trio, with Drummond (bass), Billy Higgins (drums); in concert |
| 1996 | Solo Ballads | Alsut | Solo piano |
| 1997 | None but the Lonely Heart | Naim | Duo, with Charlie Haden (bass) |
| 1998 | You Don't Know What Love Is | Naim | Quartet, with Sabina Sciubba (vocals), David Williams (bass), Billy Higgins (drums) |
| 1998 | From the Heart | Naim | Solo piano |
| 2001 | Solo Ballads Two | Alsut | Solo piano |
As sideman
With Clifford Jordan
- Remembering Me-Me (Muse, 1977)
- The Mellow Side of Clifford Jordan (Mapleshade, 1997)
With Charlie Parker
- An Evening at Home with the Bird (Savoy, 1961)
- One Night in Chicago (Savoy, 1980)
With others
- Sun Ra, Sun Ra Sextet at the Village Vanguard (Rounder, 1993)
- Frank Strozier, Long Night (Jazzland, 1961)
References
- "The Last Post" Obituary at jazzhouse.org
- Cook, Richard (2005). Richard Cook's Jazz Encyclopedia. London: Penguin Books. pp. 13–14. ISBN 0-141-00646-3.
- John S. Wilson, "Pop Jazz", The New York Times, September 24, 1982.
- "Not close to lonely" from Down Beat via highbeam