Jimmy Knepper
| Jimmy Knepper | |
|---|---|
 Jimmy Knepper with the National Jazz Ensemble |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | James M. Knepper |
| Born | November 22, 1927 |
| Died | June 14, 2003 (aged 75) |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Instruments | Trombone |
| Associated acts | Charles Mingus, The Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra, ... |
James M. (Jimmy) Knepper (November 22, 1927 – June 14, 2003) was an American jazz trombonist. In addition to his own recordings as leader, Knepper performed and/or recorded throughout his career with many of the top figures in jazz including the bands of Charlie Barnet, Woody Herman, Claude Thornhill, Stan Kenton, Benny Goodman, Gil Evans, Jones / Lewis, Akiyoshi / Tabackin and, most famously, as friend and arranging/transcribing partner of bassist and composer Charles Mingus in the late 1950s / early 1960s. Knepper died in 2003, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.[1][2]
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[edit] With Mingus
Knepper was twice on the receiving end of Mingus' legendary temper. Once, while onstage at a memorial concert in Philadelphia, Mingus reportedly attempted to crush his pianist's hands with the instrument's keyboard cover, then punched Knepper in the mouth. Then, on October 12, 1962, Mingus reportedly punched Knepper while the two men were working together at Mingus's apartment on a score for his upcoming concert at New York Town Hall and Knepper refused to take on more work. The blow broke one of Knepper's teeth, ruined his embouchure and resulted in the permanent loss of the top octave of his range on the trombone. This attack ended their working relationship and Knepper was unable to perform at the concert. Charged with assault, Mingus appeared in court in January 1963 and was given a suspended sentence.[3] In the 1970s, the two eventually reconciled enough to play together in concert and on at least one of Mingus' last albums.
[edit] Discography
[edit] As leader
- Jazz Workshop Presents: "Jimmy Knepper" (1957) – debut, with Bob Hammer
- A Swinging Introduction to Jimmy Knepper (1957) Bethlehem
- Pepper-Knepper Quintet (1958) MetroJazz Records
- Cunningbird "Jimmy Knepper Quintet" (1976) SteepleChase
- Jimmy Knepper in L.A. (1977) Inner City
- Tell Me... (1979) Daybreak
- Primrose Path (1980) HEP
- First Place (1982) Black Hawk
- I Dream Too Much (1984) Soul Note
- Dream Dancing (1986) Criss Cross
[edit] As sideman
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With Charles Mingus
- Tijuana Moods (1957) RCA
- East Coasting (1957) Bethlehem
- A Modern Jazz Symposium of Music and Poetry (1957) Bethlehem
- The Clown (1957) Atlantic
- Mingus Ah Um (1959) Columbia
- Mingus Dynasty (1959) Columbia
- Blues & Roots (1959) Atlantic
- Mingus Revisited (1960) Mercury
- Reincarnation of a Lovebird (1960) Candid
- Oh Yeah (1961) Atlantic,
- Tonight at Noon (1957–61) Atlantic
- Cumbia & Jazz Fusion (1978) Atlantic
With Gil Evans
- Out of the Cool (1960) Impulse!
- The Individualism of Gil Evans (1964) Verve
- Where Flamingos Fly (1971) Artists House
- Collaboration with Helen Merrill (1987) EmArcy
With Kai Winding
- The Incredible Kai Winding Trombones (1960) Impulse!
With Kenny Burrell
- Guitar Forms (1965) Verve
With Gary Burton
- A Genuine Tong Funeral (1967) RCA,
With the Jazz Composer's Orchestra
- The Jazz Composer's Orchestra (1968) JCOA
- Escalator over the Hill with Carla Bley (1971) JCOA
With The Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra
- The Big Band Sound of Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Featuring Miss Ruth Brown (1968) Solid State
- Monday Night (1968) Solid State
- Central Park North (1969) Solid State
- Basle, 1969 (1996) TCB Music – recorded 1969
- Consumation (1970) Solid State
- Suite for Pops (1972) A&M
- Live in Tokyo (1974) Denon Jazz
- Potpourri (1974) Philadelphia International
- Thad Jones / Mel Lewis and Manuel De Sica (1974) PAUSA
With Al Kooper
- You Never Know Who Your Friends Are (1969) Columbia
With the Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band
- Road Time (1976) RCA/Victor
With George Adams & Dannie Richmond
- Hand to Hand (1980) Soul Note
- Gentleman's Agreement (1983) Soul Note
