Representative Albums: "Letter from Home," "There I Go Again," "Still on the Planet"
Representative Songs: "So What," "Freedom Jazz Dance," "Parker's Mood"
Biography
The founder of vocalese (putting recorded solos to words), Eddie Jefferson did not have a great voice, but he was one of the top jazz singers, getting the maximum out of what he had. He started out working as a tap dancer, but by the late '40s was singing and writing lyrics. A live session from 1949 (released on Spotlite) finds him pioneering vocalese by singing his lyrics to "Parker's Mood" and Lester Young's solo on "I Cover the Waterfront." However, his classic lyrics to "Moody's Mood for Love" were recorded first by King Pleasure (1952), who also had a big hit with his version of "Parker's Mood." Jefferson had his first studio recording that year (which included Coleman Hawkins' solo on "Body and Soul"), before working with James Moody (1953-1957). Although he recorded on an occasional basis in the 1950s and '60s, his contributions to the idiom seemed to be mostly overlooked until the 1970s. Jefferson worked with Moody again (1968-1973), and during his last few years often performed with Richie Cole. He was shot to death outside of a Detroit club in 1979. Eddie Jefferson, who also wrote memorable lyrics to "Jeannine," "Lady Be Good," "So What," "Freedom Jazz Dance," and even "Bitches' Brew," recorded for Savoy, Prestige, a single for Checker, Inner City, and Muse; his final sides appeared in 1999 under the title Vocal Ease. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Eddie Jefferson (3 August 1918 - 9 May 1979) was a celebrated jazzvocalist and lyricist.
He is credited with having invented vocalese, a musical style in which lyrics are set to an instrumental composition or solo. Perhaps his best-known song is "Moody's Mood for Love", though it was first recorded by King Pleasure, who cited Jefferson as an influence. Jefferson's songs "Parker's Mood" and "Filthy McNasty" were also hits.
One of Jefferson’s most notable recordings “So What”, combined the lyrics of artist Christopher Acemandese Hall with the music of Miles Davis to create a masterwork that highlighted his prolific skills, and ability to majestically turn a phrase, in his style [jazz vocalese].
Jefferson's last recorded performance was at the Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase in Chicago and was released on video by Rhapsody Films. He shared the stand with Richie Cole (alto sax), John Campbell (piano), Kelly Sill (bass) and Joel Spencer (drums). The performance was part of a tour that Jefferson and Cole led together. Their opening night in Detroit was at the legendary Baker's Keyboard Lounge, a jazz club built in the 1930's that has played host to everyone from Dexter Gordon to Sonny Stitt.
A previously unreleased live recording from July 1976 was released in August 2009, Eddie Jefferson at Ali's Alley, with drummer Rashied Ali.
Death
Eddie Jefferson was shot and killed at Baker's on May 8, 1979, aged 60. He had left the club with fellow band leader Cole around 1:35 a.m. and was shot while walking out of the building. Actress Brenda Vaccaro, Cole's girlfriend at the time, was also accompanying the band. A late-model Lincoln Continental was spotted speeding away from the scene. The driver was later picked up by Detroit police and identified as a disgruntled dancer whom Jefferson once worked with and had fired from a gig. The suspect was charged with murder, but was later acquitted in a Detroit trial.
