Ernie Andrews

Ernest Mitchell Andrews Jr.[1] (December 25, 1927 – February 21, 2022) was an American jazz, blues, and pop singer.

Ernie Andrews
Andrews, left, and Dexter Gordon at KJAZ, Alameda, California, in 1980
Andrews, left, and Dexter Gordon at KJAZ, Alameda, California, in 1980
Background information
Birth nameErnest Mitchell Andrews Jr.
Born(1927-12-25)December 25, 1927
Philadelphia, U.S.
DiedFebruary 21, 2022(2022-02-21) (aged 94)
GenresBlues, jazz, pop
Occupation(s)Singer
LabelsGNP, Capitol, Dot, GNP Crescendo, Discovery, Muse, HighNote

Life and career

Andrews was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but grew up in Los Angeles,[2] and is said to have been discovered by songwriter Joe Greene in 1945. Greene wrote his biggest hit, "Soothe Me".[3]

He was a member of the Harry James orchestra, debuting on November 26, 1958, at the Blue Note jazz club in Chicago. He recorded with Columbia Records and others.[2] His career declined in the 1960s and 1970s but would rebound in the 1980s. He recorded with the Capp/Pierce Juggernaut Band, Gene Harris, Jay McShann, and the Harper Brothers. Andrews played a leading part in the documentary film, Blues for Central Avenue.[4]

Andrews died on February 21, 2022, at the age of 94.[5]

Discography

As leader
  • In the Dark (GNP, 1957)
  • The Importance of Being Ernest (GNP, 1959)
  • Live Session! Cannonball Adderley with Ernie Andrews (Capitol, 1965)
  • This Is Ernie Andrews (Dot, 1967; CD reissue: Verve, 2005)
  • Soul Proprietor (Dot, 1968)
  • Ernie Andrews Sings with the Fuzzy Kane Trio (Phil-L.A. of Soul, 1970)
  • Travelin' Light (GNP Crescendo 1975) compilation
  • Hear Me Now! (LMI, 1979)
  • Sings from the Heart (Discovery, 1981)
  • No Regrets (Muse, 1993; CD reissue: 32 Jazz, 1998)
  • The Great City (Muse, 1995)
  • The Many Faces of Ernie Andrews (HighNote, 1998)
  • Girl Talk (HighNote, 2001)
  • Jump For Joy (HighNote, 2003)
  • How About Me (HighNote, 2006)

As sideman

With Kenny Burrell

With Frank Capp & Nat Pierce

  • Frank Capp & Nat Pierce: Juggernaut (Concord, 1977)
  • The Frank Capp-Nat Pierce Orchestra: Juggernaut Strikes Again! (Concord, 1982)

With Harry James

  • "Blue Baiao" b/w "She's Got to Go" [45rpm single] (MGM, 1959) Andrews sings on the B-side[6]
  • Live at the Riverboat (Dot, 1966)[7]
  • Our Leader! (Dot, 1967)[8]
  • Duke Ellington, Harry James, Herb Pomeroy, Jon Hendricks (Europa Jazz, 1981).[9] Live with Harry James & His Orchestra at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 1965
  • One Night Stand with Harry James at the Blue Note (Joyce, 1983)[10]

With others

References
  1. Eagle, Bob; LeBlanc, Eric S. (2013). Blues – A Regional Experience. Santa Barbara: Praeger Publishers. p. 335. ISBN 978-0313344237.
  2. Archived October 25, 2005, at the Wayback Machine
  3. Chadbourne, Eugene. "Joe Greene | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  4. Yanow, Scott. "Ernie Andrews | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  5. Ernie Andrews, charismatic jazz singer and mainstay on the Central Avenue music scene, dies
  6. "Harry James And His Orchestra – K12776". 45cat.com. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
  7. "Harry James live at the Riverboat [sound recording]". Mobius. 1966. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
  8. OCLC 28844294
  9. OCLC 36401002
  10. "One Night Stand with Harry James at The Blue Note [sound recording]". Mobius. 1980. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
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