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{{Short description|American jazz pianist, composer and arranger}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Avery Parrish
| image =
| name = Avery Parrish
| caption =
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| image_size =
| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| birth_name = James Avery Parrish<ref name="Blues">Eagle, Bob; LeBlanc, Eric S (2013) ''Blues: A Regional Experience''. Praeger. p. 45.</ref>
| birth_name = James Avery Parrish<ref name="Blues">Eagle, Bob; LeBlanc, Eric S (2013) ''Blues: A Regional Experience''. Praeger. p. 45.</ref>
| alias =
| alias =
| birth_place = [[Birmingham, Alabama]], US
| birth_place = [[Birmingham, Alabama]], US
| birth_date = January 24, 1917
| birth_date = January 24, 1917
| death_place = [[New York City]], [[New York]], US
| death_place = [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]], US
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1959|12|10|1917|1|24}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1959|12|10|1917|1|24}}
| instrument = Piano
| instrument = Piano
| genre = [[Jazz]], blues
| genre = [[Jazz]], blues
| occupation = Musician, composer, arranger
| occupation = Musician, composer, arranger
| years_active = 1930s–1943
| years_active = 1930s–1943
| label =
| label =
| associated_acts = [[Erskine Hawkins]]
| associated_acts = [[Erskine Hawkins]]
| website =
| website =
| current_members =
| current_members =
| past_members =
| past_members =
}}
}}


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Parrish was born in [[Birmingham, Alabama]].<ref name="AM">{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/avery-parrish-mn0000063735 |title= Avery Parrish – Artist Biography |last1= Yanow |first1= Scott |date= |website= AllMusic |publisher= |accessdate=August 10, 2014}}</ref> His parents were Curley and Fannie G Parrish.<ref name="Blues" /> Avery had at least one brother, who became an educator.<ref>Lambert, Katherine Kent (November 18, 1939) "Birmingham News". ''The Chicago Defender''. p. 10.</ref>
Parrish was born in [[Birmingham, Alabama]].<ref name="AM">{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/avery-parrish-mn0000063735 |title= Avery Parrish – Artist Biography |last1= Yanow |first1= Scott |date= |website= AllMusic |publisher= |accessdate=August 10, 2014}}</ref> His parents were Curley and Fannie G Parrish.<ref name="Blues" /> Avery had at least one brother, who became an educator.<ref>Lambert, Katherine Kent (November 18, 1939) "Birmingham News". ''The Chicago Defender''. p. 10.</ref>


Parrish graduated from [[A. H. Parker High School|Parker High School]] in Birmingham.<ref name="Pitts">{{cite news|title=Musician Avery Parrish Dies |url=http://www.newspapers.com/clip/841393/the_pittsburgh_courier/? |newspaper=The Pittsburgh Courier |date=January 2, 1960|page=23|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = August 10, 2014 }} {{Open access}}</ref> According to a gossip columnist in 1935, Parrish was at that time married to singer [[Velma Middleton]].<ref>McMillan, Allan (November 16, 1935) "Hi Hattin' in Harlem". ''The Chicago Defender''. p. 9.</ref><ref>McMillan, Allan (July 4, 1964) "On Broadway: Private Papers of a Dawn Patroller". ''New Pittsburgh Courier'' p. 15.</ref>
Parrish graduated from [[A. H. Parker High School|Parker High School]] in Birmingham.<ref name="Pitts">{{cite news|title=Musician Avery Parrish Dies |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/841393/the_pittsburgh_courier/? |newspaper=The Pittsburgh Courier |date=January 2, 1960|page=23|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = August 10, 2014 }} {{Open access}}</ref> According to a gossip columnist in 1935, Parrish was at that time married to singer [[Velma Middleton]].<ref>McMillan, Allan (November 16, 1935) "Hi Hattin' in Harlem". ''The Chicago Defender''. p. 9.</ref><ref>McMillan, Allan (July 4, 1964) "On Broadway: Private Papers of a Dawn Patroller". ''New Pittsburgh Courier'' p. 15.</ref>


==Later life==
==Later life==
Parrish studied at the [[Alabama State University|Alabama State Teachers College]], where he played in the [[Bama State Collegians]], an ensemble led by [[Erskine Hawkins]].<ref name="AM" /> He remained in Hawkins's employ until 1942,<ref name="WOR">"'Record Man' Returns to WOR Program" (May 9, 1942) ''The Pittsburgh Courier''. p. 20.</ref> and recorded with him extensively. Parrish wrote the music to "[[After Hours (Avery Parrish song)|After Hours]]", and a 1940 recording of the tune with Hawkins's orchestra resulted in its becoming a [[jazz standard]]. He also wrote arrangements for Hawkins.<ref>McCarthy, Albert J (1974) ''Big Band Jazz''. Putnam. p. 233.</ref>
Parrish studied at the [[Alabama State University|Alabama State Teachers College]], where he played in the [[Bama State Collegians]], an ensemble led by [[Erskine Hawkins]].<ref name="AM" /> He remained in Hawkins's employ until 1942,<ref name="WOR">"'Record Man' Returns to WOR Program" (May 9, 1942) ''The Pittsburgh Courier''. p. 20.</ref> and recorded with him extensively. Parrish wrote the music to "[[After Hours (Avery Parrish song)|After Hours]]", and a 1940 recording of the tune with Hawkins's orchestra resulted in its becoming a [[jazz standard]]. He also wrote arrangements for Hawkins.<ref>McCarthy, Albert J (1974) ''Big Band Jazz''. Putnam. p. 233.</ref>


In August 1942 Parrish was injured in a car crash that killed Marcellus Green, one of Hawkins's trumpeters.<ref name="crash">"Erskine Hawkins Bandsman Is Killed: Hawkins Bandsman Killed in Accident Avery Parrish, Pianist. Among Others Hurt in Auto Capsizing". (August 15, 1942) ''New York Amsterdam Star-News''. p. 1.</ref> They were in a group of five in the vehicle, driving between Pittsburgh and Chattanooga to gigs when it overturned.<ref>"Hawkins Band Member Dies in Car Crash". (August 15, 1942) ''The Pittsburgh Courier''. p. 1.</ref> Parrish left Hawkins later that year<ref name="WOR" /><ref>"Rowe's Notebook". (October 17, 1942) ''The Pittsburgh Courier''. p. 20.</ref> and moved to California.<ref name="AM" /> He was a commercially successful solo pianist there.<ref name="Shaw">Shaw, Arnold (1978) ''Honkers and Shouters: The Golden Years of Rhythm and Blues''. Collier. p. 60. ISBN 978-0-02-061760-0.</ref> He was involved in a bar fight in 1943<ref>"Avery Parrish, Erskine Hawkins' Swing Pianist, Is Still Alive!". (August 14, 1943) ''The Pittsburgh Courier''. p. 20.</ref> – he was hit in the head by a bar stool<ref name="Shaw" /> – which put him in hospital for a few months.<ref>"Avery Parrish Leaves Hospital". (November 6, 1943) ''The Pittsburgh Courier''. p. 19.</ref> This left him partly paralyzed; he was unable to play music for the rest of his life.<ref name="AM" />
In August 1942 Parrish was injured in a car crash that killed Marcellus Green, one of Hawkins's trumpeters.<ref name="crash">"Erskine Hawkins Bandsman Is Killed: Hawkins Bandsman Killed in Accident Avery Parrish, Pianist. Among Others Hurt in Auto Capsizing". (August 15, 1942) ''New York Amsterdam Star-News''. p. 1.</ref> They were in a group of five in the vehicle, driving between Pittsburgh and Chattanooga to gigs when it overturned.<ref>"Hawkins Band Member Dies in Car Crash". (August 15, 1942) ''The Pittsburgh Courier''. p. 1.</ref> Parrish left Hawkins later that year<ref name="WOR" /><ref>"Rowe's Notebook". (October 17, 1942) ''The Pittsburgh Courier''. p. 20.</ref> and moved to California.<ref name="AM" /> He was a commercially successful solo pianist there.<ref name="Shaw">Shaw, Arnold (1978) ''Honkers and Shouters: The Golden Years of Rhythm and Blues''. Collier. p. 60. {{ISBN|978-0-02-061760-0}}.</ref> He was involved in a bar fight in 1943<ref>"Avery Parrish, Erskine Hawkins' Swing Pianist, Is Still Alive!". (August 14, 1943) ''The Pittsburgh Courier''. p. 20.</ref> – he was hit in the head by a bar stool<ref name="Shaw" /> – which put him in hospital for a few months.<ref>"Avery Parrish Leaves Hospital". (November 6, 1943) ''The Pittsburgh Courier''. p. 19.</ref> This left him partly paralyzed; he was unable to play music for the rest of his life.<ref name="AM" />


Parrish died of unknown causes<ref name="AM" /> on December 10, 1959.<ref name="Blues" /><ref>Bruyninckx, Walter (1981) ''60 Years of Recorded Jazz 1917–1977, Volume 9''. W. Bruyninckx. p. 97.</ref> A contemporary report stated that he "had been found lying in Harlem streets five days before he died at the Harlem Hospital. There were no marks of violence on his body."<ref name="Pitts" /> Author and music executive [[Arnold Shaw (author)|Arnold Shaw]] stated that Parrish suffered "a fall down a flight of stairs".<ref name="Shaw" /> At the time, Parrish was living with his mother on [[Saint Nicholas Avenue]] and "working as a porter for a local bottling company."<ref name="death" /> He was buried in [[Ferncliff Cemetery]], New York.<ref name="death">"Avery Parrish Pianist Dies; Was Composer". (December 19, 1959) ''New York Amsterdam News''. p. 38.</ref> He was survived by his mother and a brother, Julian.<ref name="death" />
Parrish died of unknown causes<ref name="AM" /> on December 10, 1959.<ref name="Blues" /><ref>Bruyninckx, Walter (1981) ''60 Years of Recorded Jazz 1917–1977, Volume 9''. W. Bruyninckx. p. 97.</ref> A contemporary report stated that he "had been found lying in Harlem streets five days before he died at the Harlem Hospital. There were no marks of violence on his body."<ref name="Pitts" /> Author and music executive [[Arnold Shaw (author)|Arnold Shaw]] stated that Parrish suffered "a fall down a flight of stairs".<ref name="Shaw" /> At the time, Parrish was living with his mother on [[Saint Nicholas Avenue]] and "working as a porter for a local bottling company."<ref name="death" /> He was buried in [[Ferncliff Cemetery]], New York.<ref name="death">"Avery Parrish Pianist Dies; Was Composer". (December 19, 1959) ''New York Amsterdam News''. p. 38.</ref> He was survived by his mother and a brother, Julian.<ref name="death" />
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{{reflist|30em}}


{{Authority control|VIAF=42026246}}
{{Authority control}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Parrish, Avery
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American musician
| DATE OF BIRTH = January 24, 1917
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Birmingham, Alabama, US
| DATE OF DEATH = December 10, 1959
| PLACE OF DEATH = New York City, US
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Parrish, Avery}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Parrish, Avery}}
[[Category:1917 births]]
[[Category:1917 births]]
[[Category:1959 deaths]]
[[Category:1959 deaths]]
[[Category:American jazz pianists]]
[[Category:American jazz pianists]]
[[Category:Musicians from Alabama]]
[[Category:American male jazz pianists]]
[[Category:20th-century pianists]]
[[Category:20th-century American pianists]]
[[Category:Jazz musicians from Alabama]]
[[Category:20th-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:Bama State Collegians members]]
[[Category:Burials at Ferncliff Cemetery]]

Latest revision as of 21:21, 30 August 2024

Avery Parrish
Birth nameJames Avery Parrish[1]
BornJanuary 24, 1917
Birmingham, Alabama, US
DiedDecember 10, 1959(1959-12-10) (aged 42)
New York City, New York, US
GenresJazz, blues
Occupation(s)Musician, composer, arranger
InstrumentPiano
Years active1930s–1943

James Avery Parrish (January 24, 1917 – December 10, 1959) was an American jazz pianist, composer and arranger. He wrote and recorded "After Hours". Injuries from a bar fight in 1943 ended his career as a pianist.

Early life

[edit]

Parrish was born in Birmingham, Alabama.[2] His parents were Curley and Fannie G Parrish.[1] Avery had at least one brother, who became an educator.[3]

Parrish graduated from Parker High School in Birmingham.[4] According to a gossip columnist in 1935, Parrish was at that time married to singer Velma Middleton.[5][6]

Later life

[edit]

Parrish studied at the Alabama State Teachers College, where he played in the Bama State Collegians, an ensemble led by Erskine Hawkins.[2] He remained in Hawkins's employ until 1942,[7] and recorded with him extensively. Parrish wrote the music to "After Hours", and a 1940 recording of the tune with Hawkins's orchestra resulted in its becoming a jazz standard. He also wrote arrangements for Hawkins.[8]

In August 1942 Parrish was injured in a car crash that killed Marcellus Green, one of Hawkins's trumpeters.[9] They were in a group of five in the vehicle, driving between Pittsburgh and Chattanooga to gigs when it overturned.[10] Parrish left Hawkins later that year[7][11] and moved to California.[2] He was a commercially successful solo pianist there.[12] He was involved in a bar fight in 1943[13] – he was hit in the head by a bar stool[12] – which put him in hospital for a few months.[14] This left him partly paralyzed; he was unable to play music for the rest of his life.[2]

Parrish died of unknown causes[2] on December 10, 1959.[1][15] A contemporary report stated that he "had been found lying in Harlem streets five days before he died at the Harlem Hospital. There were no marks of violence on his body."[4] Author and music executive Arnold Shaw stated that Parrish suffered "a fall down a flight of stairs".[12] At the time, Parrish was living with his mother on Saint Nicholas Avenue and "working as a porter for a local bottling company."[16] He was buried in Ferncliff Cemetery, New York.[16] He was survived by his mother and a brother, Julian.[16]

In 1979, Parrish was inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Eagle, Bob; LeBlanc, Eric S (2013) Blues: A Regional Experience. Praeger. p. 45.
  2. ^ a b c d e Yanow, Scott. "Avery Parrish – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  3. ^ Lambert, Katherine Kent (November 18, 1939) "Birmingham News". The Chicago Defender. p. 10.
  4. ^ a b "Musician Avery Parrish Dies". The Pittsburgh Courier. January 2, 1960. p. 23. Retrieved August 10, 2014 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  5. ^ McMillan, Allan (November 16, 1935) "Hi Hattin' in Harlem". The Chicago Defender. p. 9.
  6. ^ McMillan, Allan (July 4, 1964) "On Broadway: Private Papers of a Dawn Patroller". New Pittsburgh Courier p. 15.
  7. ^ a b "'Record Man' Returns to WOR Program" (May 9, 1942) The Pittsburgh Courier. p. 20.
  8. ^ McCarthy, Albert J (1974) Big Band Jazz. Putnam. p. 233.
  9. ^ "Erskine Hawkins Bandsman Is Killed: Hawkins Bandsman Killed in Accident Avery Parrish, Pianist. Among Others Hurt in Auto Capsizing". (August 15, 1942) New York Amsterdam Star-News. p. 1.
  10. ^ "Hawkins Band Member Dies in Car Crash". (August 15, 1942) The Pittsburgh Courier. p. 1.
  11. ^ "Rowe's Notebook". (October 17, 1942) The Pittsburgh Courier. p. 20.
  12. ^ a b c Shaw, Arnold (1978) Honkers and Shouters: The Golden Years of Rhythm and Blues. Collier. p. 60. ISBN 978-0-02-061760-0.
  13. ^ "Avery Parrish, Erskine Hawkins' Swing Pianist, Is Still Alive!". (August 14, 1943) The Pittsburgh Courier. p. 20.
  14. ^ "Avery Parrish Leaves Hospital". (November 6, 1943) The Pittsburgh Courier. p. 19.
  15. ^ Bruyninckx, Walter (1981) 60 Years of Recorded Jazz 1917–1977, Volume 9. W. Bruyninckx. p. 97.
  16. ^ a b c "Avery Parrish Pianist Dies; Was Composer". (December 19, 1959) New York Amsterdam News. p. 38.
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