Dubbed the (almost certainly racist) ‘Sepia Sinatra’ by the American press, Billy Eckstine (1944-1993) was an influential bandleader, and a singer, whose rich bass-baritone inspired a large number of singers who followed. Born in Pittsburgh, he was singing at church events by the age of 11. His family moved to Washington DC, and at 17 won an amateur talent contest imitating Cab Calloway.
Eckstine’s first plum job was as featured vocalist with Earl Hines’ big band in Chicago, where he stayed for four years (1939-1943). During this time, Eckstine brought Sarah Vaughan into the band, and also took the time to learn the trumpet. Hines and Eckstine wrote ‘Stormy Monday Blues’ and ‘Jelly Jelly’ together, which were successful enough for Eckstine to strike out on his own.
In 1944, Eckstine started his own big band, which featured an astonishing array of players who would become stars of the bebop movement, including Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Tadd Dameron, Fats Navarro, Dexter Gordon and (hijacked from Hines’ band) Sarah Vaughan. Alongside modern instrumental arrangements, the band also showcased Eckstine’s voice, and in 1945 a recording of Willard Robison’s ‘Cottage For Sale’ became his first million seller. Later that year ‘Prisoner Of Love’ would repeat that feat.
After the band folded in 1947, the hits kept coming, with a gold record attained in each of his first five years as a solo artist – ‘Everything I Have Is Yours’ (1947), ‘Blue Moon’ (1948), ‘Caravan’ (1949), ‘My Foolish Heart’ (1950) and ‘I Apologize’ (1951). In 1957, he was reunited with Sarah Vaughan for an album of Irving Berlin songs, and also a single, ‘Passing Strangers’
Through the 1960s and 70s, Eckstine continued to be a popular feature in jazz clubs, in international festivals, Las Vegas engagements and on TV variety shows. By the 1980s, his voice was showing its age, but he still received a Grammy nomination for his 1986 album with Benny Carter and Helen Merrill.
Key Recordings:
Billy Eckstine 1944-46 (Classics)
The Irving Berlin Songbook (Emarcy 1957) with Sarah Vaughan
Billy’s Best (Verve 1958)