Jimmy Forrest

This five hour show features the vigorous tenor saxophone of Jimmy Forrest. Forrest was born in 1920 and raised in St. Louis, coming of age in the tail end of the big band era.  For a time, he was a major figure both in rhythm and blues and also mainstream jazz. His first key jobs, in the 1940's, were in the orchestras of Jay McShann, Andy Kirk, and, notably, Duke Ellington towards the end of the decade. Forrest made a significant contribution to  popular music culture as the composer of the classic rhythm & blues song “NIGHT TRAIN”.   His original early 1950's recordings on United of Night Train, along with other R&B songs like “Hey Mrs. Jones” and “Bolo Blues”, became popular hit records. In the late 1950's, Forrest turned his attention back to mainstream jazz, and with his powerful yet sweet tenor sax, he worked regularly in a combo with Harry Sweets Edison, made swinging records as a leader on Prestige, and also in the organ-tenor vein with Brother Jack McDuff. A shy, soft-spoken man, Forrest married late in life and settled in Grand Rapids, Michigan, but from that perch remained active in the musical  world.  He performed regularly in some of Count Basie’s bands of the 1970's, and also in a small group partnership with trombonist Al Grey. Forrest was among those featured in  Bruce Ricker’s iconic, valedictory film, “The Last Of The Blue Devils”.  Forrest passed away at the age of 60 in 1980. originally broadcast May 20, 2012