This is one of the newest jazz transfers on the channel, dating from the waning years of 78 rpm era, as the 45 rpm 7″ single format and 33 rpm 10″ EP and 12″ LP formats were beginning to dominate production runs.
Eddie Heywood Jr. was playing with Bessie Smith in Atlanta when he was a preteen under the tutelage of his father. He would go on to play with Benny Carter, Billie Holiday, and Coleman Hawkins in the 30s and 40s before launching a solo career.
His work in the 50s was a bit of a comeback after his long productive career as a musician was interrupted in 1947 by medical issues with his hands that prevented him from performing.
You can hear his dexterity on this pre-paralysis side from 1944:
https://youtu.be/hTt7z9PnsD8
The flip side of this disc, “Soft Summer Breeze” went to #11 on the pop charts – but I enjoy the b-side a bit more. Perhaps because it’s winter in the midwest, and with temperatures currently at 1 degree Fahrenheit, soft summer breezes seem to be a distant memory.
The beginning arpeggio of this one reminds me a bit of the beginning of “Linus and Lucy” by Vince Guaraldi from “Jazz Impressions of A Boy Named Charlie Brown” recorded in 1964. It has a similar optimistic feel but whereas the Guaraldi tune looks forward, I feel this one is more nostalgic in nature.
Included on his self-titled 1955 EmArcy LP, it was also included on his self-titled 1956 Mercury LP.
Recorded July 15 and 20, 1955.
Released on April 19, 1956.
Released as Mercury 70863
Credits:
Eddie Heywood Jr. – piano
Wendell Marshall – bass
Jimmy Crawford – drums
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