Bill Jennings (September 12, 1919 – November 29, 1978) was an American

jazz guitarist Jazz guitarists are guitarists who play jazz using an approach to chords, melodies, and improvised solo lines which is called jazz guitar playing. The guitar has fulfilled the roles of accompanist ( rhythm guitar) and soloist in small and large ...

and composer.

Career

Recording as both a leader and a sideman, Jennings has been called "the architect of soul jazz" and has influenced on jazz, soul, R&B, and blues guitar.

B.B. King Riley B. King (September 16, 1925 – May 14, 2015), known professionally as B.B. King, was an American blues singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. He introduced a sophisticated style of soloing based on fluid string bending, shi ...

often mentioned Jennings as one of biggest influences. Jennings recorded with such artists as Willis "Gator" Jackson,

Brother Jack McDuff Eugene McDuff (September 17, 1926 – January 23, 2001), known professionally as "Brother" Jack McDuff or "Captain" Jack McDuff, was an American jazz organist and organ trio bandleader who was most prominent during the hard bop and soul jazz er ...

Leo Parker Leo Parker (April 18, 1925 – February 11, 1962) was an American jazz musician, who primarily played baritone saxophone. Early life Born in Washington, D.C., Parker studied alto saxophone in high school and played this instrument on a record ...

Bill Doggett William Ballard Doggett (February 16, 1916 – November 13, 1996) was an American pianist and organist. He began his career playing swing music before transitioning into rhythm and blues. Best known for his instrumental compositions "Honky Tonk" ...

, Louis Jordan,

King Curtis Curtis Ousley (born Curtis Montgomery; February 7, 1934 – August 13, 1971), known professionally as King Curtis, was an American saxophonist who played rhythm and blues, jazz, and rock and roll. A bandleader, band member, and session musician ...

, Louis Armstrong, and

Ella Fitzgerald Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917June 15, 1996) was an American jazz singer, sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella". She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, in ...

and unique in his ability to play in many styles, including swing, bop, jump blues, R&B, and pop. Jennings played on "

Fever Fever, also referred to as pyrexia, is defined as having a temperature above the normal range due to an increase in the body's temperature set point. There is not a single agreed-upon upper limit for normal temperature with sources using val ...

" by Little Willie John, which made the '' Billboard'' R&B chart in the US and peaked at number 24 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. A left-handed player, Jennings played guitar upside down, with the high strings at the top, which gave him a different approach to phrasing and bending the strings. Later in his career, he lost a finger on his fretting hand and began playing bass guitar.

Death

Jennings died at

Veterans Hospital Veterans' health care in the United States is separated geographically into 19 regions (numbered 1, 2, 4-10, 12 and 15–23) In January 2002, the Veterans Health Administration announced the merger of VISNs 13 and 14 to create a new, combined netw ...

in Indianapolis on November 29, 1978. He was a

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

veteran and a member of the Church of God.

Discography

As leader

* ''Mood Indigo'' (King, 1956) * '' Billy in the Lion's Den'' (King, 1957) * '' Enough Said!'' (Prestige, 1959) * '' Glide On'' (Prestige, 1960)

As sideman

With Willis Jackson * ''

Please Mr. Jackson ''Please Mr. Jackson'' is the debut album by saxophonist Willis Jackson. It featured organist Jack McDuff and guitarist Bill Jennings, and was recorded and released 1959 on the Prestige label.Cookin' Sherry'' (Prestige, 1960) * ''

Blue Gator ''Blue Gator'' is the third album led by saxophonist Willis Jackson featuring organist Jack McDuff and guitarist Bill Jennings which was recorded in 1959 and 1960 and released on the Prestige label.Thunderbird Thunderbird, thunder bird or thunderbirds may refer to: * Thunderbird (mythology), a legendary creature in certain North American indigenous peoples' history and culture * Ford Thunderbird, a car Birds * Dromornithidae, extinct flightless birds ...

'' (Prestige, 1962) * '' Together Again!'' (Prestige, 1965) * '' Together Again, Again'' (Prestige, 1967) * '' Star Bag'' (Prestige, 1968) * '' Swivelhips'' (Prestige, 1969) * '' Gator's Groove'' (Prestige, 1969) With

* ''

Brother Jack ''Brother Jack'' is the debut album by organist Jack McDuff recorded in 1960 and released on the Prestige label. Reception AllMusic reviewer Jim Todd stated: "Recorded in 1960, the session is a transitional one, both for jazz organ and for one o ...

'' (Prestige, 1960) With others * Roy Brown, ''Laughing but Crying'' (Route 66, 1977) *

Kenny Burrell Kenneth Earl Burrell (born July 31, 1931) is an American jazz guitarist known for his work on numerous top jazz labels: Prestige, Blue Note, Verve, CTI, Muse, and Concord. His collaborations with Jimmy Smith were notable, and produced the 1965 ...

, ''Guitar Soul'' (Status 1965) *

The Charms The Charms are an American garage rock band from Somerville, Massachusetts, United States, who were formed in 2002. Following 8 straight years of releasing records and touring the band went on a hiatus and returned for a few one off shows befor ...

, ''Glory Spots'' (Motherwit, 1991) *

Wild Bill Davis Wild Bill Davis (November 24, 1918 – August 17, 1995) was the stage name of American jazz pianist, organist, and arranger William Strethen Davis. He is best known for his pioneering jazz electric organ recordings and for his tenure with t ...

, ''Flying High'' (Everest, 1959) *

, ''Moondust'' (Odeon 1959) *

Shakey Jake Harris James D. "Shakey Jake" Harris (April 12, 1921 – March 2, 1990) was an American Chicago blues singer, harmonicist and songwriter. He released five albums over a period of almost 25 years. He was often musically associated with his nephew Magic ...

, '' Good Times'' ( Bluesville, 1960) * Little Willie John, ''Fever'' (Regency, 1956) *

Etta Jones Etta Jones (November 25, 1928 – October 16, 2001) was an American jazz singer. Her best-known recordings are "Don't Go to Strangers" and "Save Your Love for Me". She worked with Buddy Johnson, Oliver Nelson, Earl Hines, Barney Bigard, Gene A ...

, ''The Jones Girl...Etta...Sings, Sings, Sings'' (King, 1958) *

Betty Roche Betty or Bettie is a name, a common diminutive for the names Bethany and Elizabeth. In Latin America, it is also a common diminutive for the given name Beatriz, the Spanish and Portuguese form of the Latin name Beatrix and the English name Beatri ...

, '' Singin' & Swingin'' (Prestige, 1961)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jennings, Bill (guitarist) 1919 births 1978 deaths Musicians from Indiana 20th-century American guitarists American jazz guitarists American male guitarists Soul-jazz guitarists 20th-century American male musicians American male jazz musicians