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Mose Allison

Mose John Allison Jr. (November 11, 1927 – November 15, 2016) was an American jazz and blues pianist, singer, and songwriter. He became notable for playing a unique mix of blues and modern jazz, both singing and playing piano. After moving to New York in 1956, he worked primarily in jazz settings, playing with jazz musicians like Stan Getz, Al Cohn, and Zoot Sims, along with producing numerous recordings.

He is described as having been "one of the finest songwriters in 20th-century blues." His songs were strongly dependent on evoking moods, with his individualistic, "quirky", and subtle ironic humor. His writing influence on R&B had well-known fans recording his songs, among them Pete Townshend, who recorded his "Young Man Blues" for the Who's Live at Leeds album in 1970. John Mayall was one of dozens who recorded his classic, "Parchman Farm", and Georgie Fame used many of Allison's songs. Others who recorded his songs included Leon Russell ("I'm Smashed") and Bonnie Raitt ("Everybody's Cryin' Mercy").

The 1980s saw an increase in his popularity with new fans drawn to his unique blend of modern jazz. In the 1990s he began recording more consistently. Van Morrison, Georgie Fame and Ben Sidran collaborated with him on a tribute album, Tell Me Something: The Songs of Mose Allison. The Pixies wrote the song "Allison" as a tribute.

Allison's music had an important influence on other artists, such as Jimi Hendrix, J. J. Cale, the Yardbirds, the Rolling Stones, Tom Waits, and Pete Townshend. He was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2006.

Birth and Death Data: Born November 11, 1927 (Tippo), Died November 15, 2016 (Hilton Head Island)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1956 - 1957

Roles Represented in DAHR: piano

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 101060 12/3/1956 S-H-I-N-E Al Cohn-Bob Brookmeyer Quartet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 101061 12/3/1956 The lady is a tramp Al Cohn-Bob Brookmeyer Quartet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 101062 12/3/1956 So far, so good Al Cohn-Bob Brookmeyer Quartet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 101063 12/3/1956 A blues serenade Al Cohn-Bob Brookmeyer Quartet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 101064 12/3/1956 Chlo-e Al Cohn-Bob Brookmeyer Quartet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 101065 12/4/1956 Good spirits Al Cohn-Bob Brookmeyer Quartet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 101066 12/4/1956 Winter Al Cohn-Bob Brookmeyer Quartet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 101067 12/4/1956 Lazy man stomp Al Cohn-Bob Brookmeyer Quartet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 101068 12/4/1956 I should care Al Cohn-Bob Brookmeyer Quartet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 101069 12/4/1956 Bunny hunch Al Cohn-Bob Brookmeyer Quartet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 101070 12/4/1956 Ill wind Al Cohn-Bob Brookmeyer Quartet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 101071 12/4/1956 Back to back Al Cohn-Bob Brookmeyer Quartet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 102100 3/26/1957 You're a lucky guy Al Cohn-Zoot Sims Quintet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 102101 3/26/1957 Halley's comet Al Cohn-Zoot Sims Quintet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 102102 3/26/1957 Chasin' the blues Al Cohn-Zoot Sims Quintet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 102103 3/26/1957 Two funky people-1 Al Cohn-Zoot Sims Quintet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 102104 3/26/1957 The wailing boat Al Cohn-Zoot Sims Quintet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 102105 3/26/1957 Brandy and beer Al Cohn-Zoot Sims Quintet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 102106 3/27/1957 Gone with the wind Al Cohn-Zoot Sims Quintet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 102107 3/27/1957 Just you, just me Al Cohn-Zoot Sims Quintet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 102108 3/27/1957 It's a wonderful world Al Cohn-Zoot Sims Quintet instrumentalist, piano  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Allison, Mose," accessed November 9, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/301030.

Allison, Mose. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/301030.

"Allison, Mose." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 9 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/301030

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