Main content

Alton Purnell

On the centenary of the birth in 1911 of New Orleans pianist Alton Purnell, Alyn Shipton and Mike Pointon select his essential discs.

Alton Purnell was born on 16 April 1911, and to celebrate his centenary, Mike Pointon joins Alyn Shipton to pick the best records by the New Orleans pianist.

The programme covers his work with Bunk Johnson and George Lewis, his own records, and later recordings with Jimmy Archey and with the Legends of Jazz. Both Pointon and Shipton played with Purnell on his UK tours, so this edition of Jazz Library includes some shared insights into his musical world.

1 hour

Last on

Sat 16 Apr 2011 16:00
麻豆社 Radio 3

More episodes

Previous

Mike Stern

Next

Al Cohn

See all episodes from Jazz Library

Music Played

  • Bunk Johnson and His New Orleans Band

    Tishomingo Blues

    Composer: Spencer Williams Performers: Bunk Johnson, tp; George Lewis, cl; Jim Robinson, tb; Alton Purnell, p; Lawrence Marrero, bj; Slow Drag Pavageau, b; Baby Dodds, d. NYC, 21 Nov 1945.

    • Complete Deccas, Victors and V-Discs: Nov 1945 - Jan 1946.
    • Document 1001.

  • Bunk Johnson and His New Orleans Band

    You Can't Escape From Me

    Composer: Erskine Hawkins Performers: Bunk Johnson, tp; George Lewis, cl; Jim Robinson, tb; Alton Purnell, p; Lawrence Marrero, bj; Slow Drag Pavageau, b; Red Jones, d. Live recording, Stuyvesant Casino, NYC, 6 Jan 1946.

    • Complete Deccas, Victors and V-Discs: Nov 1945 - Jan 1946.
    • Document 1001.

  • George Lewis & His Ragtime Band

    Jerusalem Blues

    Composer: Lewis Performers: George Lewis, cl; Elmer 鈥淐oo Coo鈥� Talbot, tp; Jim Robinson, tb; Alton Purnell, p; Lawrence Marrero, bj; Slow Drag Pavageau, b; Joe Watkins, d. Philiberto鈥檚 Music Store, New Orleans, 22 May 1950.

    • Jam Session.
    • American Music 104.

  • George Lewis & His Ragtime Band

    Willie the Weeper

    Composer: Jaxon

    • George Lewis With Elmer Talbert 1949/1950.
    • American Music AMCD-038.

  • George Lewis & His Ragtime Band

    Lou-Easy-An-I-A

    Composer: Darensbourg Performers: George Lewis, cl; Kid Howard, tp; Jim Robinson, tb; Alton Purnell, p, voc; Lawrence Marrero, bj; Slow Drag Pavageau, b; Joe Watkins, d. 26 Oct 1953, Los Angeles. [Also available on George Lewis Collection (Upbeat)

    • Bands, Trios, Quintets.
    • American Music 83.

  • George Lewis Quintet

    Darkness on the Delta

    Composer: Livingston / Symes Performers: George Lewis, cl; Alton Purnell, p, voc; Lawrence Marrero, bj; Slow Drag Pavageau, b; Joe Watkins, d. New Orleans, 6 Apr 1954.

    • Bands, Trios, Quintets.
    • American Music AMCD 83.

  • George Lewis & His Ragtime Band

    Heebie Jeebies

    Composer: Atkins Performers: George Lewis, cl; Kid Howard, tp; Jim Robinson, tb; Alton Purnell, p, voc; George Guesnon, bj; Slow Drag Pavageau, b; Joe Watkins, d.

    • Complete Blue Note Recordings of George Lewis.
    • Mosaic MD 3-132 CD 3.

  • Alton Purnell

    Stackolee

    Composer: trad. / arr. Purnell Performers: Plas Johnson, ts; Alton Purnell, voc, p; Red Callender, b; Earl Palmer, d. Los Angeles, Jun 1958.

    • Funky Piano, New Orleans Style.
    • Upbeat 233 CD 1.

  • Keith Smith with Jimmy Archey鈥檚 Hot Six

    ODJB One Step

    Composer: La Rocca Performers: Keith Smith, tp; Darnell Howard, cl; Jimmy Archey, tb; Alton Purnell, p; Pops Foster, b; Cie Frazier, d. London, 6 Mar 1966.

    • A Portrait of Keith Smith - 鈥淢r Hefty Jazz鈥�.
    • LakeLACD 67.

  • Barry Martyn's Legends of Jazz

    Indiana

    Composer: Hanley / McDonald Performers: Andy Blakeney, tp; Joe Darensbourg, cl; Preston Jackson, tb; Alton Purnell, p; Ed Garland, b; Barry Martyn, d. 3 March 1974.

    • In Chicago.
    • GHB 453.

Broadcast

  • Sat 16 Apr 2011 16:00
    麻豆社 Radio 3

Podcast

  • Jazz Library

    Advice and guidance to those interested in building a library of jazz recordings