The John Young Discography

© Armin Büttner, Robert L. Campbell and Robert Pruter


Latest update: December 28, 2011

Revision Note (December 28, 2011): Added information about the ultrarare Gateway 5001 by the Dick Davis Combo.

Revision Note (December 22, 2011): Added a lot of information about broadcasts and airshots of Andy Kirk and his orchestra with John Young from from Leif Bo Petersen's and Theo Rehak's book "The Music and Life of Theodore "Fats" Navarro", Scarecrow 2009.





John Young's promotion photo, early 50s


John Merritt Young was born March 16, 1922 in Little Rock, Arkansas. His family moved to Chicago when he was 5 years old. He first learned piano at home, emulating his older brother by playing blues numbers such as "Stagger Lee" and "How Long Blues." He began taking lessons at age 9. By the time he entered DuSable High in January 1935, he had been playing five years. Young told Travis Dempsey that his early jazz influence was Earl Hines, whom he used to listen to on broadcasts from the Grand Terrace. He also listened closely to Roy Eldridge, Coleman Hawkins, and Chu Berry (Roy and Chu were in Fletcher Henderson's 1936 band, which worked at the Grand Terrace). He began playing gigs at age 12.

DuSable proved to be a valuable training ground for Young, who played under band teacher Captain Walter Dyett and harmony instructor and music department head Mildred Bryant Jones. His classmates included Dorothy Donegan and Redd Foxx, and with them he performed in the annual student show, Hi-Jinks.

After finishing at DuSable in May or June of 1939, Young took his first steady job at a resort near Grand Rapids, Michigan. He entered Chicago's flourishing music scene, playing in the house band at Joe's DeLuxe Club. His big break came when he replaced Kenny Kersey in Andy Kirk's big band, working with Kirk from September 1942 into 1945 and again in 1946-47. Young contributed several arrangements to the band book during his stay.

There may be more broadcasts by the Andy Kirk band with John Young extant. Leif Bo Petersen and Theo Rehak mention several in their book "The Music and Life of Theodore 'Fats' Navarro" (Scarecrow 2009), but is not known whether the original Electrical Transcriptions still exist for these. Petersen's and Rehaks informations about them is based on the radio transcripts.


Andy Kirk and his Orchestra

Probably: Harry Lawson, Fats Navarro, John Burris, Johnny Walker (tp); Howard McGhee (tp, arr); Ted Donnelly, Wayman Richardson, Bob Murray (tb) Reuben Phillips, Ben Smith (as); John Harrington (as, cl); Jimmy Forrest, J.D. King (ts) Ed Loving (ts,bar) Johnny Young (p) Booker Collins (b) Ben Thigpen (d) June Richmond (vcl-1) Andy Kirk (ldr)

Ozark Ordnance Works, El Dorado ARK. Coca Cola Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands #166. April 1, 1943 (date of broadcast)


Coca Cola Theme
AFRS Electrical Transcription?

Ridin' Along
AFRS Electrical Transcription?, Collector's Tape

Medley-1:
- Taking A Chance On Love
- I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance

AFRS Electrical Transcription?, Collector's Tape

Boogie Woogie Cocktail (Ozark Boogie)
AFRS Electrical Transcription?, Collector's Tape

I've Heard That Song Before-1
AFRS Electrical Transcription?, Collector's Tape

St. Louis Blues (edited)
AFRS Electrical Transcription?, Collector's Tape

Fanfare (edited)
AFRS Electrical Transcription?, Collector's Tape

Back Home In Indiana
AFRS Electrical Transcription?, Collector's Tape

Kirk Theme (Peepin' Through The Keyhole) (edited)
AFRS Electrical Transcription?, Collector's Tape

Coca Cola Theme
AFRS Electrical Transcription?, Collector's Tape

Information from Leif Bo Petersen/Theo Rehak: "The Music and Life of Theodore "Fats" Navarro", Scarecrow 2009. Petersen and Rehak had access to a collector's tape from the original Electrical Transcription (ET) which is missing the Coca Cola Theme as well as several Coca Cola ads that we have not mentioned above. Several tracks are edited on the ET.


Andy Kirk and his Orchestra

Probably same personnel, add Ed Loving (bars).

AFRS Jubilee #54, unidentified location, November/December 1943


One O'Clock Jump (Theme)
AFRS Electrical Transcription?

Avalon
AFRS Electrical Transcription?, Collector's CD

Wednesday Night Hop
AFRS Electrical Transcription?, Collector's CD, Caracol CAR424, Masters of Jazz (F)MJCD143

If That's The Way You Want It-1
AFRS Electrical Transcription?, Collector's CD

Hit That Jive Jack-1
AFRS Electrical Transcription?, Collector's CD

Seven Come Eleven
AFRS Electrical Transcription?, Collector's CD, Masters of Jazz (F)MJCD143 [CD]

One O'Clock Jump (Theme)
AFRS Electrical Transcription?, Collector's CD

Information from Leif Bo Petersen/Theo Rehak: "The Music and Life of Theodore "Fats" Navarro", Scarecrow 2009. Petersen and Rehak had access to a collector's CD from the original Electrical Transcription (ET) . The program contained music by other artists as well as announcements we dot mention here. The CD Masters of Jazz (F)MJCD143 ] is titled Fats Navarro, volume 1, 1943-1946.


Andy Kirk and his Orchestra

Andy Kirk (ldr); Harry Lawson, Art Capeheart, Fats Navarro, Howard McGhee (tp); Joe Bairdy, Wayman Richardson, Bob Murray (tb); Reuben Phillips, Ben Smith (as); John Harrington, Jimmy Forrest, J.D. King (ts); Ed Loving (bars); John Young (p); Booker Collins (b); Ben Thigpen (d), June Richmond (voc-1).

Decca Studio, NYC, December 3, 1943

71535 Shorty Boo
MCA (Jap) 5141, Classics 1075
71536 Fare Thee Well Honey-1
Decca 4449, MCA 2-4105, Masters of Jazz (F)MJCD143, Classics 1075
71537 Baby, Don't You Tell Me No Lie
Decca 4449, Classics 1075
71538 Things 'Bout Comin' My Way
unissued

Information from Bruyninckx and Tom Lord. Classics 1075 is titled Andy Kirk - 1943-1949.


Andy Kirk and his Orchestra

Probably: Harry Lawson, Fats Navarro, John Burris, Johnny Walker (tp); Howard McGhee (tp, arr); Ted Donnelly, Wayman Richardson, Bob Murray (tb) Reuben Phillips, Ben Smith (as); John Harrington (as, cl); Jimmy Forrest, J.D. King (ts) Ed Loving (ts,bar) Johnny Young (p) Booker Collins (b) Ben Thigpen (d) June Richmond (vcl-1) Andy Kirk (ldr)

Newcastle Army Air Base, Wilmington Del. Coca Cola Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands #407. January 7, 1944 (date of broadcast)


Coca Cola Theme
NBC Safety Lacquer?

Wednesday Night Hop
NBC Safety Lacquer? AFRS Electrical Transcription?, Collector's Tape

My Heart Tells Me
NBC Safety Lacquer? AFRS Electrical Transcription?, Collector's Tape

Avalon (edited)
NBC Safety Lacquer? AFRS Electrical Transcription?, Collector's Tape

When They Ask About You
NBC Safety Lacquer? AFRS Electrical Transcription?, Collector's Tape

Back Home In Indiana
NBC Safety Lacquer? AFRS Electrical Transcription?, Collector's Tape

St. Louis Blues
NBC Safety Lacquer? AFRS Electrical Transcription?, Collector's Tape

Fanfare
NBC Safety Lacquer? AFRS Electrical Transcription?, Collector's Tape

"Playoff Music" (McGhee Special)
Yank Swing Session #34?

Ridin' Along
NBC Safety Lacquer? AFRS Electrical Transcription?, Collector's Tape

Kirk Theme (Peepin' Through The Keyhole) (edited)
NBC Safety Lacquer? AFRS Electrical Transcription?, Collector's Tape

Coca Cola Theme
NBC Safety Lacquer? AFRS Electrical Transcription?, Collector's Tape

Information from Leif Bo Petersen/Theo Rehak: "The Music and Life of Theodore "Fats" Navarro", Scarecrow 2009. Petersen and Rehak had access to a collector's tape from the (edited) Electrical Transcription (ET) for AFRS AB #252 which is missing the Coca Cola Theme as well as several Coca Cola ads that we have not mentioned above. Several tracks are edited on the ET. Petersen/Rehak suggest that "McGhee Special" as broadcast in the AFRS Yank Swing Session Series stems from this date.


Andy Kirk and his Orchestra

Probably: Harry Lawson, John Lynch, Art Capehart, Claude Dunson (tp), Milton Robinson, Wayman Richardson, Bob Murray (tb), Ben Smith (as), John Harrington, J. D. King, Jimmy Forrest (ts), Ed Loving (ts,bars), Johnny Young (p, arr), Lavern Baker (b), Ben Thigpen (dr), Toni Jenkins (voc-1), Andy Kirk (dir), Howard McGhee (arr)

Armed Forces, Frederick, Maryland. Coca Cola Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands #407. February 9, 1944 (date of broadcast)


Peepin' Through The Keyhole (Theme)
Victory Parade Of Spotlight Bands # 749, AFRS SB #594

Avalon
Victory Parade Of Spotlight Bands # 749, AFRS SB #594

 I’ll See You In My Dreams
Victory Parade Of Spotlight Bands # 749, AFRS SB #594

When They Ask About You-1
Victory Parade Of Spotlight Bands # 749, AFRS SB #594

Blue ‘N’ Boogie (theme)
Victory Parade Of Spotlight Bands # 749, AFRS SB #594

Apollo Groove (Young)
Victory Parade Of Spotlight Bands # 749, AFRS SB #594

Information from Leif Bo Petersen who has heard a Collector’s tape copy of the AFRS edition of the show (AFRS SB #594). According to Leif Bo Petersen Apollo Groove is a John Young composition. Petersen can not remember the source, buth thinks this was mentioned in Down Beat some time.


Andy Kirk and his Orchestra

Probably same personnel, add Fats Navarro (tp), Tony Jenkins (voc-2) and Eddie Cantor (voc-2)

AFRS Jubilee #66, NBC Studio C, Hollywood CAL February 21 1944


One O'Clock Jump (Theme)
AFRS Jubilee #66, Collector's Tape

Ridin' Along
AFRS Electrical Transcription?, Collector's Tape

Get Up Mule-1
AFRS Jubilee #66, Collector's Tape, Caracol CAR424, Swing House (E)SWH39

Speak Low
AFRS Jubilee #66, Collector's Tape, Caracol CAR424

I Couldn't Sleep A Wink Last Night
AFRS Jubilee #66, Collector's Tape, Downbeat #74?

Potatoes Are Cheaper-2
AFRS Jubilee #66, Collector's Tape

Paradise Valley AFRS Jubilee #66, Collector's Tape, Caracol CAR24, Swing House (E)SWH39

One O'Clock Jump (Theme)
AFRS Jubilee #66, Collector's Tape

Information from Leif Bo Petersen/Theo Rehak: "The Music and Life of Theodore "Fats" Navarro", Scarecrow 2009. Petersen and Rehak had access to a collector's Tape from the original Electrical Transcription (ET) . The program contained announcements we do not mention here.


Andy Kirk and his Orchestra

Probably same personnel, Timmie Rogers (voc-2) replaces Tony Jenkins and Eddie Cantor
 

AFRS Jubilee #67, NBC Studio C, Hollywood CAL February 28 1944


One O'clock Jump (theme)
AFRS Jubilee #67, Collector's Tape

Wednesday night hop (as Jubilee show 54?)

AFRS Jubilee #67, Collector's Tape

My Ideal-1
AFRS Jubilee #67, Collector's Tape

McGhee Special
AFRS Jubilee #67, Collector's Tape

Knock Me A Kiss-2
AFRS Jubilee #67, Collector's Tape

47th Street Jive-1
AFRS Jubilee #67, Collector's Tape

Peepin' Through The Keyhole
AFRS Jubilee #67, Collector's Tape

One O'clock Jump (theme) (identical to version from Jubilee #66)
AFRS Jubilee #67, Collector's Tape

Information from Leif Bo Petersen/Theo Rehak: "The Music and Life of Theodore "Fats" Navarro", Scarecrow 2009. Petersen and Rehak had access to a collector's Tape from the original Electrical Transcription (ET) . The program contained announcements we do not mention here.


Probably same personnel, omit Timmie Rogers

Andy Kirk and his Orchestra


 

AFRS Jubilee #68, NBC Studio C, Hollywood CAL March 6 1944

 


One O'clock Jump (theme)
"The Jubilee Shows vol. 5"

New Orleans Jump
"The Jubilee Shows vol. 5", Swing House (E)SWH39

Basin Street Blues-1
"The Jubilee Shows vol. 5"

Flying Home
"The Jubilee Shows vol. 5"

When They Ask About You
"The Jubilee Shows vol. 5"

Little Joe From Chicago-1
"The Jubilee Shows vol. 5", Swing House (E)SWH39

Flying Home
"The Jubilee Shows vol. 5", Swing House (E)SWH39

One O'clock Jump (theme)
"The Jubilee Shows vol. 5" (identical to version from Jubilee #66)

Information from Leif Bo Petersen/Theo Rehak: "The Music and Life of Theodore "Fats" Navarro", Scarecrow 2009. Petersen and Rehak mention a CD, "The Jubilee Shows vol. 5" (501 1005), the company which released this CD is unknown.


Probably similar personnel, possibly including John Young (p). Vocalists: Lena Horne (-1) Gwyn Tynes (-2), Tony Jenkins (-3), June Richmond (-4), Danny Kay (-5) .

Andy Kirk and his Orchestra 

AFRS Jubilee #133, 134, 135, NBC Studio C, Hollywood CAL May 14, 21, and 28, 1944 (dubbing dates). Maybe all recorded on May 14.

 


St. Louis Blues (edited, probably test or warm up recording)
Hindsight HRS-227

New Orleans Jump One O'clock Jump (theme)
Jubilee # 133

Roll' Em
Jubilee # 133, Hindsight HRS-227

Ain't Got Nothing But The Blues-1
Jubilee # 133

When They Ask About You-3
Jubilee # 133

As Long As I Live
Jubilee # 133

Avalon
Jubilee # 133, Hindsight HRS-227

One O'clock Jump (theme)
Jubilee # 133

One O'clock Jump (theme)
Jubilee # 133

9:20 Special
Jubilee # 134

Don’t Take Your Love Away From Me -2
Jubilee # 134

Seven Come Eleven
Jubilee # 134

Together
Jubilee # 134, Jubilee # 135

One O'clock Jump (theme)
Jubilee # 133

One O'clock Jump (theme)
Jubilee # 133

Booh Wah (Knick Nacks)
Jubilee # 135

47th Street Jive-4
Jubilee # 135

Minnie The Moocher-5
Jubilee # 135

Hey Lawdy Mama-4
Jubilee # 135

Information from Leif Bo Petersen, who has heard Jubilee ## 134 and 135. Hindsight HRS-227 (LP) is titled The Uncollected. Andy Kirk And The Clouds of Joy. 1944.


Andy Kirk and his Orchestra

Probably with the following musicians: Harry Lawson, Art Capehart, Fats Navarro, Howard McGhee (tp) Taswell Baird, Wayman Richardson, Bob Murray (tb) Ben Smith, Reuben Phillips (as) John Harrington, Jimmy Forrest, J.D. King (ts) Ed Loving (bar) John Young (p) Booker Collins (b) Ben Thigpen (d) June Richmond (vcl-1) Andy Kirk (ldr)
 

Apollo Theatre, N.Y.C., June 7 1944


Paradise Valley
Everybody's EV3003

Information from Tom Lord.


Andy Kirk and his Orchestra

Andy Kirk (ldr); Fats Navarro, Harry Lawson, Art Capehart, unknown (tp); Joe Baird, Wyman Richardson, Bob Murray (tb); Ben Smith, Reuben Philips (as); John Harrington, Jimmy Forrest, J.D. King (ts); Eddie Loving (bs); Johnny Young (p); Lavern Baker (b); Ben Thigpen (d); June Richmond (vcl).

NYC, December 19, 1944

72644 Apollo Groove
unissued
72645 So Blue
unissued
72646 Hippy-Dippy
MCA (Jap) 5141, Classics (F)1075 [CD]
72647 If That's the Way You Want It
unissued

Information from Tom Lord.


Andy Kirk and his Orchestra

Probably with the following musicians: Harry Lawson, Art Capehart, Fats Navarro, Howard McGhee (tp) Taswell Baird, Wayman Richardson, Bob Murray (tb) Ben Smith, Reuben Phillips (as) John Harrington, Jimmy Forrest, J.D. King (ts) Ed Loving (bar) John Young (p) Booker Collins (b) Ben Thigpen (d) June Richmond (vcl) Andy Kirk (ldr)
 

Broadcast, Apollo Theatre, N.Y.C., February 21 1945


Wake up

Everybody's EV3003

Information from Tom Lord.


Some time in 1945 Hank Jones replaced Young in Kirk's orchestra. For a 1945 Down Beat profile by Sharon A. Pease, Young, who was now beginning to lean in the bop direction, stated that his favorite musicians were Art Tatum, Lester Young, Charlie Parker, and Dizzy Gillespie. In 1946 Young returned into Kirks band staying up at least to december 47. According to a note in Otto Flückiger's files, among the personal for Kirk's appearance at the Apollo theatre in december 1947 were Harry Lawson, Johnny Lynch and Paul King (tp), Rene Hall (tb, g), Joe Evans and Reuben Phillips (as), Claude Green and Ray Abrams (ts), "Johnny Long" (p) as well as Laverne Baker (b).


John Young at the Band Box in 1946

John Young in the Andy Kirk band at the Band Box, 1946. From left to right: Ben Thigpen (drums); Harry Lawson (trumpet); Johnny Walker (trumpet); and Aaron Bell (bass). From the collection of Charles Walton.

At some point during 1947 or 1948 the Kirk band made the filmshort "Killer Diller". According to Ed "Tiger" Lewis who was in the band for a short while, the Kirk aggregation of this period consisted of Ed "Tiger" Lewis, Harry Lawson, Talib Dawood (tp), Rene Hall (tb, g), two unidentified (tb), Joe Evans and Reuben Phillips (as), Jimmy Forrest, Ray Abrams, Shirley Green (ts); unknown (p), unknown (d). On viewing the short, we can state that the pianist in "Killer Diller" is not John Young. Other musicians mentioned by Rene Hall and Fip Ricard for the period 1946-1948 are Fip Ricard and Clarence Trice (tp), Henry Wells, Gene Murray, Robert Murray (tb), Candy Johnson (ts), John Young (p), and Joe Williams (voc).

When Young left the Kirk band and returned to Chicago, he started performing with the Dick Davis combo up to 1950.


From the collection of Armin Büttner

From the collection of Armin Büttner


Dick Davis

Dick Davis (ts, voc-1); John Young (p, voc-2); possibly Eddie Calhoun (b); possibly Buddy Smith (d).

Probably Chicago,late spring or early summer1949

DDC-1 You Tell Me-1
Gotham 182-A
DDC-2 Double Talk
Gotham 182-B
5001-A Down Home
Gateway 5001-A
5001-B Wandering Blues-2
Gateway 5001-B

The signing of Dick Davis by Gotham Records was announced in Billboard of April 16 1949. The above personal is Dick Davis band of summer 1950. It's not entirely clear, if the same bassist and drummer were already in Davis' quartet of 1949. Tommy Sewell replaced Eddie Calhoun in August 1950. Gateway 5001 was discovered in December 2011. The Gateway label was founded in 1952 by Carl Burkhardt, owner of the Rite Records Pressing Company in Cincinnatti. We have not yet heard Gotham 182, but we are rather sure that Down Home and Wandering Blues were originally recorded for Gotham. We have not seen a label of Gotham 182-B, so we do not know if somebody is singing on this side.

From an ebay auction.

In 1950, Young formed his own combo, teaming up with Eldridge "Bruz" Freeman on drums and Leroy Jackson on bass, which led up to the sessions for Seymour records.


In October 1950, Cash Box announced the launch of the label and indicated that "blues thrush" Lurlean Hunter had been signed, along with Kenny Mann and pianist John Young.

For three of its four known sessions, the Seymour concern used Edwin M. Webb's Modern Recording Studio at 55 West Wacker Drive (the matrix numbers are in the familiar MRS system of four digits for the work order, followed by a one-digit suffix). However, on the first session, which appears to have been taped live in the loft, Modern was probably involved only at the mastering stage. "Palm Chant" and "Go-Go-Sox" used matrix numbers that are not part of any known series; "Go-Go-Sox" also sounds as though it was recorded in the fabled loft.


From the collection of Armin Büttner

A copy of Chance 1144 from the collection of Armin Büttner


Johnny Young Trio% | Kenny Mann, Sax*

Kenny Mann (ts*); John Young (p); unidentified (eg %); LeRoy Jackson (b); Red Lionberg (d*).

Modern Recording Studio, Chicago, September 1950

MR-2755-1 [A-13651] You Go to My Head (Coots-Gillespie)
Seymour 95-A [unissued], Chance 1144
SE 2755-2 M. R. S. These Foolish Things (Strachey-Link)*
Seymour 97-B
MR-2755-3 unidentified title
unissued
MR-2755-4 [A-13653] Memories of You (Blake-Razaf)
Seymour 95-B [unissued], Chance 1144

We're assuming LeRoy Jackson is the bassist on this Seymour session because we know he made the Lurlean Hunter session a few days later. The guitarist's role is so restricted in the trio that there are no positive marks of style for us to go by. One item from this session was released on Seymour 97 [sic]-B around October 1950. Thanks to Art Zimmerman for information on this release; the other side was 98-A. Two more sides were first issued in 78 and 45 rpm on Chance 1144, in September 1953. The Chance releases carry three sets of matrix numbers. The MR numbers were the original matrix numbers from Modern Recording Studio. The A numbers were attached by Discovery when it bought the remains of Seymour in December 1950; these appeared on the label of the Chance release as well as in the plastic. To complicate matters further, an extra "3" intruded into the the label versions of the A numbers, so they came out 136351 and 136353. Finally, the S95-A and S95B in the plastic indicate a planned release on Seymour 95; so far as we know, this never actually happened.


Seym4. Lurleane [sic] Hunter, Vocal | John Young and His Orchestra / Lurlean Hunter-Vocal |Kenny Mann-Sax^ / Kenny Mann, Sax %

Lurlean Hunter (voc except -2); John Young (p, dir); Kenny Mann (ts -2; ss and ts -3); prob. George Freeman (eg -1); LeRoy Jackson (b); Eldridge "Bruz" Freeman (d).

Modern Recording Studio, Chicago, September 1950

SE2766- [A13699] My Home Town Chicago (Schwartz) -1
Seymour 99-A, Discovery 533
SE2766-1? [A13698] I Get a Warm Feeling
Discovery 533
SE2766-2 M. R. S. Deep Purple (De Rose) -2%
Seymour 98-A
SE2766-3 I Hadn't Anyone 'till You (R. Noble) -2
Seymour 99-B
SS 1A#135 Palm Chant (Schwartz) -3^
Seymour 1-B

We took most of the personnel off the labels of the original Seymour releases. Seymour 98-A is an instrumental; Kenny Mann gets star billing on the label, which also identifies Young, Jackson, and Freeman. Thanks to Art Zimmerman for information on this 78, whose flip is Seymour 97-B (!), also an instrumental featuring Kenny Mann. Seymour himself wrote "My Home Town Chicago." Kenny Mann is heard only on Side B of Seymour 99; meanwhile, an uncredited guitarist appears on Side A. Both style and context (his brother Bruz was at the drums) point to George Freeman. We have not heard "I Get a Warm Feeling" so we don't know the precise lineup on this track. Meanwhile, the personnel listing on the label is corroborated by a contemporary photo of Lurlean Hunter with Johnny Young, LeRoy Jackson, and Bruz Freeman (reproduced in Dempsey, Travis, An Autobiography of Black Jazz,p. 507).

Further complicating matters is Seymour 1-B, "Palm Chant." Credited on the label just to Lurlean Hunter and Kenny Mann, it appears to use the same rhythm section as the other items from this session (no guitarist). Kenny Mann plays soprano sax behind the vocal (to evoke those palm trees swaying in tropical breezes) but switches to tenor for his solo. It is possible that "Palm Chant" was actually cut in Seymour's store and not at Modern Recording Studio. However, the sonics make this less obvious than is the case with "Go-Go-Sox."

Lurlean Hunter was not a neophyte when she recorded for Seymour. She was born Lurleane Hunter in Clarksdale, Mississippi, on December 1, around 1921 (her published birth year of 1928 is an obvious fabrication). Following the well-beaten path of black migration to the North, her family moved to Chicago when she was two months old. In her senior year at Englewood High, Hunter was already performing club dates, notably with Johnny Long's Swing Band in South Bend, Indiana, where she got her first Chicago Defender notice in 1938. Upon her graduation, in February of 1939, Hunter pursued her singing ambition with uncommon zeal, but not with the immediate success she had hoped. She secured a gig with the Les Hite band at the Parkway Ballroom in January of 1941, on which occasion the Defender's promotional efforts went a bit overboard: "With the band will be the sensational vocalist, Lurlene [sic] Hunter who wowed Chicagoans as an amateur a few seasons ago. Since that time Miss Hunter has won national acclaim through her singing over radio and from the stage." The Les Hite job looked like a promising start, but, alas, it did not lead to anything for Hunter.

In the summer of 1944, she auditioned before Red Saunders, who was sufficiently impressed to add her immediately to the DeLisa revue, where she became a regular for the next four years (she kept right on with Jesse Miller's band after Red's departure in June 1945). She never got the star billing, however. Such performers as Marion "Blues Woman" Abernathy and Little Miss Cornshucks would take the spotlight, perhaps leaving Hunter envious but also inspired to reach their level of success. On the other hand, the Club DeLisa job would establish her as a Chicago institution. In late 1945, she interrupted her DeLisa work for a job at another large black and tan, the Stairway to the Stars (422 1/2 East 47th) with the Floyd Campbell Orchestra. There she shed the "e" from her first name.

She returned to the DeLisa for Fletcher Henderson's 15-month engagement (February 1946 through May 1947) and was still on hand for Red Saunders' homecoming in May 1947. In early 1948, Hunter had achieved enough fame to leave the Club DeLisa behind her. She became the feature performer at the Ritz Lounge, where the Chicago Defender said that "Hunter is booked into the nightery at tremendous cost, being a steal from two loop spots that were in the bidding for her services." Later in the year she would perform with the Larry Steele Show at the upscale Beige Room in the Pershing Hotel.

The Chicago Defender's Beige Room item referred to some recordings she had done, but this looks to have been a mistaken report; we have no other evidence that Hunter had recorded a session by 1949.

Lurlean Hunter in 1951; from Down Beat Instead, Hunter's first records were Seymour 1 and Seymour 99. "I Hadn't Anyone 'till You" is a bebop interpretation of the song, rendered with great rhythmic poise; Kenny Mann assists with a solo in the Lestorian mode. "My Home Town Chicago" is a well-crafted tribute to the local music scene, again finding the singer in great voice. Along with its somewhat better distributed successor on Discovery 533, the Seymour release helped her gain a modest acclaim outside the black community. "My Home Town Chicago" made Hunter a regular on the North Side club circuit. Typical of her gigs in the early 1950s was the one at Rossi's Apex Club (429 North Clark), in December 1950, where she was accompanied by the John Young Trio including Bruz Freeman on drums and Leroy Jackson on bass.

The original matrix numbers (for all of the items except "Palm Chant") are again from Modern Recording Studio (Seymour, as a repeat customer, now rated an SE prefix), just 11 sessions after the Johnny Young Trio. (MRS seems to have allotted a four digit work order number to each session, followed by a suffix for each individual side. Of course, many of the sessions ran for just 4 sides. In other words, 2755-1 through 2755-4 would have been followed by 2756-1, leaving empty spaces at 2755-5, 2755-6, and so on.) The A series numbers were probably attached by Discovery after it bought the sides in early December 1950.



Lurlean Hunter, I Hadn't Anyone...
From the collection of Robert L. Campbell

On December 2, 1950, Billboard made an announcement concerning a Los Angeles-based label: "Discovery Records added to its r. and b. department with the inking of Chicago thrush Lurlean Hunter. Diskery bought a couple of masters from the Seymour Record firm of Chicago, which feature the thrush, and this led to the inking." Discovery quickly re-released "My Home Town Chicago" with a new coupling, "I Get a Warm Feeling." The West Coast company attached new matrix numbers to these items. Discovery also acquired the Johnny Young Trio material at this time, though the company did not release any of it.

In 1953, Art Sheridan purchased two Johnny Young Trio sides for issue on his Chance label; they appeared on Chance 1144 in September of that year. Since the Chance labels carry the A-series matrix numbers (while the A-series numbers, the original MRS numbers and the intended Seymour release numbers can be seen in the vinyl) it is a safe bet that Sheridan bought them from Discovery, which went out of business in 1952.


John Young is said to have joined the Eddie Chamblee ensemble in 1951, staying up to 1955. He recorded with the tenor player for Premium, Coral, and United), before forming another group of his own. There is however a session with singer Terry Timmons from circa September 1950 where we suspect the presence of Eddie Chamblee and - even clearer - John Young.

Terry Timmons and The Orchestra / Terry Timmons with Orchestra#

Terry Timmons (voc) with unidentified (tp); unidentified (as); possibly Eddie Chamblee (ts); probably John Young (p); unidentified (eg); unidentified (b); unidentified (d).

Chicago, c. September 1950

UB 50-161 Eating My Heart Out For You
Premium 865, RCA Victor 47-4229#, Classics 5092
UB 50-162 Worried Woman Blues
RCA Victor 47-4229#, Classics 5092
UB 50-163 Ain't Supposed To Be Like That
RCA Victor 47-4228#, Classics 5092
UB 50-164 Your Key Won' Fit My Door
Premium 865, Classics 5092

Premium 865 was probably released in December 1950. RCA Victor 47-4228 appeared on the market in November 1951 and RCA Victor 47-4228 about two months later. Classics 5092, a CD titled Terry Timmons 1950-1953 was released in spring 2004. The tenor, who sounds like Eddie Chamblee has solos on Worried Woman Blues as well as on Ain't Supposed To Be Like That. The piano playing behind Timmons on Worried Woman Blues is very close to what John Young plays on the Seymour sessions. Neither Blues Records 1943-1970 nor the Classics liner mention the prominent guitar. There might be a second trumpet in the ensembles.


Eddie Chamblee and The Band

Eddie Chamblee (ts);; John Young (p-2); prob. Walter Scott (eg); prob. Danny Overbea (g); prob. Ernie Shepard (b); prob. Osie Johnson (d).

Chicago, 1951

FL-204 Laughing Boogie
Premium 904, Blue Moon BMCD 1052
FL-205 This Is It
Premium 904, Blue Moon BMCD 1052

Premium 904 was probably released in July 1951. Blue Moon BMCD 105, a spanish CD with tracks by Eddie Chamblee, Julian Dash and Joe Thomas was released in 1995.


Eddie Chamblee

Eddie Chamblee (ts, g-1); unidentified (tp); unidentified (ts); unidentified (bar); John Young (p-2); prob. Walter Scott (eg); prob. Ernie Shepard (b); prob Osie Johnson (d).

Chicago, August, 1952

82113 In A Sentimental Mood-2
Coral 65080, Blue Moon BMCD 1052
82114 Wooden Soldiers Swing-2
Coral 65089, Blue Moon BMCD 1052
82115 Six String Boogie-1
Coral 65089, Blue Moon BMCD 1052
82116 Southern Comfort-2
Coral 65080, Blue Moon BMCD 1052

Blue Moon BMCD 105, a spanish CD with tracks by Eddie Chamblee, Julian Dash and Joe Thomas was released in 1995.


The Rockin' and Walkin' Rhythm of Eddie Chamblee% / Eddie Chamblee*

Eddie Chamblee (ts); John Young (p); Walter Scott (eg); Ernie Shepard (b); Osie Johnson (d).

Universal Recording, Chicago, August 17, 1953

1367-2 Walkin' Home%
United U-160, Blue Moon BMCD 1052,
Delmark DE 542
1368-33 Spider Web*
Delmark DE 542
1368-2 Lonesome Road%
United U-160, Blue Moon BMCD 1052,
Delmark DE 542

Blue Moon BMCD 105, a spanish CD with tracks by Eddie Chamblee, Julian Dash and Joe Thomas was released in 1995. Delmark DE 542 is a CD sampler titled Honkers and Bar Walkers - Volume 3.


John Young# / The Five Cs% / Eddie Chamblee*

The Five Cs: Clarence Anderson, Curtis Nevils, Melvin Carr, Carlos Tollerver, and a fifth, unidentified person (voc-1) Eddie Chamblee (ts); John Young (p); Leo Blevins (eg); Herbie Brown (b); Larry Jackson (d).

Universal Recording, Chicago, July 30, 1954

1456-4 Come On In*
United U-181, Blue Moon BMCD 1052, Delmark DE 542
1457-5 La! La! La! Lady*
United U-181, Blue Moon BMCD 1052, Delmark DE 542
1458-4 Rhapsody In Purple*
Delmark DE 542
1459 Time After Time*
unissued
1460 Only By You%
(I Want To Be Loved)

United U-143 (CD)
1461 Going My Way%
United U-143 (CD)
1462-1 St. James Infirmary
Delmark DE 542
? Invitation#
unissued
? Holliday#
unissued

Blue Moon BMCD 105, a spanish CD with tracks by Eddie Chamblee, Julian Dash and Joe Thomas was released in 1995. Delmark DE 542 is a CD sampler titled Honkers and Bar Walkers - Volume 3. United U-143 is a bootleg CD titled Rare Windy City R&B Vocal Groups From The Street Corners Of Chicago - Volume Two.


Bobby Lester and the Moonlighters* / The Moonglow's% (sic)

The Moonglows (Bobby Lester, Harvey Fuqua, Prentiss Barnes, Pete Graves (voc)), accompanied by: Eddie Chamblee (ts); John Young (p); Sir Walter Scott (eg); Willie Dixon (b); Wesley Landers (d).

Chicago, October, 1954

U7717 Shoo Doo--Be Doo (My Loving Baby)*
Checker 806, MCA Chess MCD9345
U7718 Sincerely%
Chess 1581, MCA Chess MCD9345
U7719 So All Alone*
Checker 806, MCA Chess MCD9345
U7720 Such A Feeling
unissued
U7721 Tempting%
Chess 1581, MCA Chess MCD9345

Information from the liners to the 2CD MCA Chess MCD9345, The Moonglows: Blue Velvet / The Ultimate Collection, released in 1993. Information about the unissued track from the Chess pages of the Red Saunders Research Foundation.


T-Bone Walker

T-Bone Walker (voc, eg); Junior Wells (hca-1); Andrew "Goon" Gardner (as-2); Eddie Chamblee (ts-2); McKinley Easton (bar-3); John Young (p); Jimmy Rogers (eg); Ransom Knowling (b); Leroy Jackson (d).

Chicago, April 21, 1955

A1517 Papa Ain't Salty
Atlantic 1065, LP 8020
A1518 All I Want Is One More Chance
unissued
A1519 Why Not
Atlantic 1074, CD 8020-2
A1520 T-Bone Shuffle
Atlantic 1065, LP 8010, 8020, 2-506
A1521 Play On Little Girl
Atlantic 1074, LP 8020, 81697
A1522 T-Bone Blues Special
Atlantic LP 7226, 81697, CD 8020-2

Information from Leadbitter, Fancourt, Pelletier


John Young

John Young (p); Herb Brown (b); Larry Jackson (d).

Chess Studios, Chicago, 1956

8308 The Boy Next Door
Argo unissued
8309 Invitation
Argo unissued
8310 Close To Me
Argo unissued
8311 Warsaw Concerto
Argo unissued
8312 Mack The Knife (Three Penny Opera)
Argo unissued
8313 Bags Groove
Argo unissued
8314 The Continental
Argo unissued
8315 Cherry Pink & Apple Blossom White
Argo unissued
8316 Spring Is Here
Argo unissued
8317 Star Eyes
Argo unissued

Matrix Numbers and titles from Lord who has John Young (p), probably b, dr as the personal. Note that these are the same tunes played on the next - issued - session.



From the collection of Hubi Horst


The John Young Trio

Young John Young

John Young (p); Herb Brown (b); Larry Jackson (d).

Chess Studios, Chicago, 1956

8364 Bags Groove
Argo LP-612
8365 The Boy Next Door
Argo LP-612
8366 Star Eyes
Argo LP-612
8367 The Continental
Argo LP-612
8368 Medley:
• It Never Entered My Mind
• Spring Is Here

Argo LP-612
8369 Cherry Pink & Apple Blossom White
Argo LP-612
8370 Invitation
Argo LP-612
8371 Three Penny Opera
Argo LP-612
8372 Close To Me
Argo LP-612
8373 Warsaw Concerto
Argo LP-612

Argo LP-612 was released in 1956. Matrix Numbers from Lord.


John Young Trio

John Young (p); Herb Brown (b); Larry Jackson (d).

Chicago, probably november or december 1956

57-581 Anastasia
Vee Jay unissued
57-582 Slaughter On Tenth Avenue
Vee Jay unissued
57-583 Bluesology
Vee Jay unissued
57-584 Autumn Leaves
Vee Jay unissued

Information from Kurt Mohrs research about Vee Jay. Vee Jay must have reached 57-580 in late1956. Mohr noted these four tracks as having taken place on the same day as the next Vee Jay session, but this cannot be.


The John Young Trio

Opus De Funk

John Young (p); Herb Brown (b); Larry Jackson (d).

Chicago, probably November 19, 1957

57-777 Bye Bye Blackbird
VJ International VJS 3060
57-778 Opus de Funk
VJ International VJS 3060
57-779 Baby Doll
VJ International VJS 3060
57-780 Surrey With The Fringe On The Top
VJ International VJS 3060

This material, recorded for Vee Jay in 1957 was released on VJ International in 1974.The John Young Trio
Information about the matrix numbers from Mohr.



From the collection of Armin Büttner


Same personal

Chicago, probably November 21, 1957
57-785 Blues In The Closet
VJ International VJS 3060
57-786 If They Asked Me I Could Write A Book
VJ International VJS 3060
57-787 Jessie May
VJ International VJS 3060
57-788 Patsy
VJ International VJS 3060
57-789 Pretty Legs (Froggy Legs)
VJ International VJS 3060
57-790 Hymn
VJ International VJS 3060
57-790 My Funny Valentine
VJ International VJS 3060

This material, recorded for Vee Jay in 1957 was released on VJ International in 1974. While the liner notes of VJS 3060 give december as the date, Kurt Mohr noted down the above date during his research on Vee Jay.


John Young

Serenata

John Young (p); Victor Sproles (b); Phil Thomas (d).

Chicago, September 25 and 30, 1959

KO8W-1748 I Don't Wanna Be Kissed
Delmar 4501-A, Delmark DL-403, DD-403

I Don't Wanna Be Kissed (alt.)
Delmark DD-403
KO8W-1749 Baby Doll
Delmar 4501-B (shortened), Delmark DL-403, DD-403

Baby Doll (alt.)
Delmark DD-403

Circus
Delmark DL-403, DD-403

Circus (alt.)
Delmark DD-403

Cubana Chant
Delmark DL-403, DD-403

In Love In Vain
Delmark DL-403, DD-403

Bones
Delmark DL-403, DD-403

Serenata
Delmark DL-403, DD-403

When I Fall In Love
Delmark DL-403, DD-403

"I Don't Wanna Be Kissed" backed with "Baby Doll" appeared as a 45rpm single on the Delmar label (before the name change to Delmark). Although the labels of Delmar 4501 give both titles as "from Delmar LP # 403", Michael Fitzgerald and François Ziegler in their Delmark listing write that the final Delmar issues were 207 and 402. While "Baby Doll" runs for 3:15 on the LP and CD versions, it was faded out after 2:43 on Delmar 4501-B. Delmark DL-403 was probably released in 1959. The CD issue DD-403 was released in 1992.


From the collection of Armin Büttner


Bobby Bryant

Big Band Blues

Bobby Bryant (ldr, tp); John Howell, Fip Ricard, (tp); Marty Marshack (tp or flhrn); Bill Porter, John Avant, Louis Satterfield, Edwin Williams (tb); William Atkins, James Spaulding, Willie Randall (as, fl); George Hunter (bar); John Young (p); Robert Edmondson (b); Marty Claussun (d); Marty Marshack, (unknown instr)

Chicago, February 9, 1961

61-1803 Falling In Love With Love
Vee Jay International VJS3059
61-1804 Blues Excerpt
Vee Jay International VJS3059
61-1805 Round Midnight
Vee Jay International VJS3059
61-1806 Secret Love
Vee Jay International VJS3059
61-1807 Love For Sale
Vee Jay International VJS3059

Same personal, add Wilbur Wynne (g).

Chicago, February 13, 1961
61-1808 Harlem Rain
Vee Jay International VJS3059
61-1809 Don't Let The Sun Catch You Cryin'
Vee Jay International VJS3059
61-1810 Sleepy
Vee Jay International VJS3059
61-1811 Cry Me A River
Vee Jay International VJS3059
61-1812 Indiana
Vee Jay International VJS3059

Session Information from Lord who could not identify the instruments of Satterfield, Marshack and Williams. Vee Jay International VJS3059 was released in 1974.



From the collection of Armin Büttner


John Young Trio

Themes And Things

John Young (p); William Yancey (b); Phillip Thomas (d).

TerMar Recording Studios, Chicago, June 6, 1961

10948 Fever
Argo LP-692
10949 Playboy Theme
Argo LP-692
10950 Weaver Of Dreams
Argo LP-692
10951 Mr. Lucky
Argo LP-692
10952 Young Blues (M J R Blues*)
Argo LP-692*
10953 Slow Blues
unissued
10954 Peyton Place
Argo LP-692

Same personal

TerMar Recording Studios, Chicago, June 7, 1961

10964 Spartacus (Love Theme)
Argo LP-692
10965 One Eyes Jacks (Love Theme)
Argo LP-692
10966 Take Five
Argo LP-692
10967 Portrait Of My Love
Argo LP-692
10968 My Romance
Argo LP-692
10969 When Sunny Gets Blue
Argo LP-692
10970 This Could Be the Start Of Something Big
unissued

Information about matrixes and unissued tracks from Lord.

Argo LP-692 was released in 1961.


Etta James

Etta James (voc) with: possibly John Young (p); Matt Murphy (g); Reggie Boyd (b); Al Duncan (d); unidentified vocal group.

Chicago, December 1961

11348 Next Door To The Blues
Argo 5424, Chess 2LP 60004, MCA Chess CHD2-9341
11349 Something's Got A Hold On Me
Argo 5409, LP 4013, LP 4025, Chess 9061, 2LP 60004, LP 8402,
MCA Chess CHD2-9341
11350 I Don't Want It
unissued
11351 St. Louis Woman
unissued
11352 I Got To See Mama
unissued

Information from Leadbitter, Fancourt and Pellertier. Argo LP 4013 titled Etta James appeared in 1962 as did Argo LP 4025 titled Etta James Sings Top Ten. Chess 2LP 60004 titled Peaches appeared in 1971, Chess LP 8402 titled Her Greatest Sides, Volume 1 appeared in 1982, MCA Chess CHD2-9341 titled Etta James - The Essential was released 1993.



From the collection of Armin Büttner


Lorez Alexandria

Deep Roots

Lorez Alexandria (voc); Howard McGhee (tp-1); John Young (p, arr); Israel Crosby (b); George Eskridge (g); Vernell Fournier (d).

Chess Studios, February 13 and 14, 1962

11493 Almost Like Being In Love
Argo LP-694, Chess UCCC-3010 (J)
11494 Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year

Argo LP-694, Chess UCCC-3010 (J)
11495 Softly As In A Morning Sunrise
Argo LP-694, Chess UCCC-3010 (J)
11496 I Want To Talk About You
Argo LP-694, Chess UCCC-3010 (J)
11497 Travlin' Light
Argo LP-694, Chess UCCC-3010 (J)
11498 Detour Ahead-1
Argo LP-694, Chess UCCC-3010 (J)
11499 No Moon At All-1
Argo LP-694, Chess UCCC-3010 (J)
11500 It Could Happen To You-1
Argo LP-694, Chess UCCC-3010 (J)
11501 Nature Boy-1
Argo LP-694, Chess UCCC-3010 (J)
11502 I Was A Fool-1
Argo LP-694, Chess UCCC-3010 (J)

Argo LP-694 was released in 1962. Information about matrixes and unissued tracks from Lord. Young is mentioned as arranger in the credits to the LP. The tunes with Howard McGhee were probably recorded on February 14.


Bonnie Graham

Brown Gal

Bonnie Graham (voc); John Young (p); George Eskridge (g); Israel Crosby (b); Vernell Fournier (d).

Chess Studios, Chicago, 1962


Brown Gal
Argo LP-4017

All Night Long
Argo LP-4017

I Told You I Love You Now Get Out
Argo LP-4017

Funny But It's True
Argo LP-4017

Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall
Argo LP-4017

You Don't Know What Love Is
Argo LP-4017

Going To Chicago
Argo LP-4017

You're So Wonderful
Argo LP-4017

By Myself
Argo LP-4017

This Time For Real
Argo LP-4017

Argo LP-4017 was released in 1962. Session Information from Lord.



From the collection of Armin Büttner


The John Young Trio

A Touch Of Pepper

John Young (p); Sam Kidd (b); Phillip Thomas (d).

TerMar Recording Studios, Chicago, November 29 and December 4, 1962

12043 Joey
Argo LP-713
12044 A Lot Of Living To Do
Argo LP-713
12045 Blues Oreene
Argo LP-713
12046 Serenata
Argo LP-713
12047 Everything's Coming Up Roses
Argo LP-713
12048 Search Me
Argo LP-713
12049 Inch Worm
Argo LP-713
12050 The Bridge
Argo LP-713
12051 In Other Words
(Fly Me To The Moon)

Argo LP-713
12052 Paprika
unissued

Argo LP-713 was released in 1963.

Information about matrixes and the unissued track from Lord.



From the collection of Armin Büttner


Oscar Lindsay

The Sophisticated Sounds Of Oscar Lindsay

Oscar Lindsay (voc); Joe Diorio (eg); Floyd Morris (org, "conductor"); John Young (p); Sam Kidd (b); Phillip Thomas (d).

Chicago, probably 1962 or 1963


But Not For Me
AMR 105JV

Impossible
AMR 105JV

Like Never Before
AMR 105JV

In The Wee Small Hours
AMR 105JV

Brahms' Lullaby
AMR 105JV

My Shining Hour
AMR 105JV

You
AMR 105JV

Lonely One
AMR 105JV

Sing Hallelujah
AMR 105JV

Sophisticated Lady
AMR 105JV

Date extrapolated with a look at the personnel of the previous session. Neither the sleeve or the label of the rather obscure LP AMR 105JV give any hint.

Information from a copy in the collection of Armin Büttner. From the 1940s up to 1960, singer (and drummer) Oscar Lindsay was a member of the Four Shades Of Rhythm which recorded for Old Swingmaster in 1947 and 1948, for Tommy Jones' Mad label in 1957 and for Apex in 1959. The liner to this LP says that Lindsay was 39 at the time of recording.



From the collection of Armin Büttner


Lorez Alexandria

For Swingers Only

Lorez Alexandria (voc); Ronald Wilson (ts-1, fl-2); John Young (p); George Eskridge (g); Jimmy Garrison (b); Phillip Thomas (d).

TerMar Recording Studios, Chicago, January 2 and 3, 1963

12097 Love Look Away-2
Argo LP-720
12098 The End Of A Love Affair-2
Argo LP-720
12099 All Or Nothing At All-2
Argo LP-720
12100 Traveling Down A Lonely Road-2
Argo LP-720
12101 That Old Devil Called Love
Argo LP-720
12102 Little Girl Blue-2
Argo LP-720
12103 Baltimore Oriole-2
Argo LP-720, Argo 5432
12104 Mother Earth-1
Argo LP-720, Argo 5432

Argo LP-720 and the 45rpm-single Argo 5432 were released in 1963. Information about matrixes and the unissued track from Lord.



From the collection of Armin Büttner


Frank Foster

Basie Is Our Boss

Al Aarons (tp); Frank Foster (ts); Eric Dixon (ts, fl); John Young (p); Buddy Catlett (b); Phil Thomas (d).

RCA Studios, Chicago, February 18 and 20, 1963

12234 Vested Interest
Argo LP-717
12235 I've Got A Lot Of Living To Do
Argo LP-717
12236 Why Try To Change Me Now
Argo LP-717
12237 Kelly Blue
Argo LP-717
12238 May We
Argo LP-717
12239 Samba Blues
Argo LP-717

Argo LP-717 was released in 1963. Information about matrixes from Lord.



From the collection of Armin Büttner


Jimmy Grissom

World of Trouble
(Low Down Blues and Lovely Ballads)

Jimmy Grissom (voc); Jay Peters (ts); John Young (p); George Eskridge, Matthew Murphy (g); Sam Kidd (b); Phillip Thomas (d).

TerMar Recording Studios, Chicago, August 29 and September 3, 1963

12652 World Of Trouble
Argo LP-729, Argo 5460

Mood Indigo
Argo LP-729

I'll Miss You
Argo LP-729

Lost In Meditation
Argo LP-729
12651 Mean And Evil Woman Blues
Argo LP-729, Argo 5460

I Don't Want You To Love Me
Argo LP-729

I Believe I'll Make A Change
Argo LP-729

The Cheater
Argo LP-729

Argo LP-729 and Argo 5460 were released in 1963.



From the collection of Armin Büttner


Al Grey

Boss Bone

Al Grey (tb); John Young (p); Leo Blevins (g); Ike Isaacs (b); Phillip Thomas (d).

TerMar Recording Studios, Chicago, December 17, 1963 (February 1964?)

12858 Terrible Cap
Argo LP-731
12859 Grey Being Blue
Argo LP-731
12860 The Give Off
Argo LP-731
12861 Smile
Argo LP-731, Argo 5461
12862 Salty Mama
Argo LP-731
12863 Can't You Feel It
Argo LP-731
12864 Mona Lisa
Argo LP-731
12865 Tacos And Grits
Argo LP-731, Argo 5461
12866 Day In Day Out
Argo LP-731

Argo LP-731 was released in 1964. While the sleeve of Argo LP-731 gives December 17, 1963 as the recording date, Bruyninckx has February 1964. Matrix numbers from Bruyninckx.


Sometime between 1964 and 1967 John Young recorded with soul singer Walter Jackson for Okeh records. To be researched.

Tommy "Madman" Jones & His Friends

Chicago Style 1960-1976

Tommy Jones (ts, voc); John Young (p); Milton Suggs (b); Robert Shy (d).

Chicago, probably mid 1970s


Little John (R. Spotts)
Mad A1 [CD]

Autumn Leaves (Prévert-Cosma) [TJ voc]
Mad A1 [CD]

Theme for Ernie
Mad A1 [CD]

Morning Mist (R. Spotts)
Mad A1 [CD]

High Fi (Jones) [TJ voc]
Mad A1 [CD]

Laura (Raksin)
Mad A1 [CD]

Tommy "Madman" Jones & His Friends: Chicago Style 1960-1976 was a CD released in the Netherlands in 1991. Around half of the material was previously released on Mad or M&M, but this session seems to have been included for the first time. Jones provided the personnel in his notes; of the session he said, "The first six numbers were cut in one session and, because I did not have more money, the session lasted three hours, plus one hour for rehearsal." The session was definitely cut with LP release in mind, because the shortest of the six pieces times in at 5:15. "High Fi," a blues that Jones sings on, appears to be the same number (but, of course, not the same performance) as "Hi Fi Apartment" from session Mad1.


Sonny Stitt / Zoot Sims

Inter-Action

Sonny Stitt (as-1, ts); Zoot Sims (ts); John Young (p); Sam Kidd (b); Phillip Thomas (d).

TerMar Recording Studios, Chicago, January 1965

13690 Katea
Cadet LP-760
13691 I Want To Go Home
Cadet LP-760
13692 Look Down That Lonesome Road
Cadet LP-760, GRP CD 817
13693 The Saber
Cadet LP-760, GRP CD 817
13694 My Blue Heaven
Cadet LP-760, GRP CD 817
13690 Fools Rush In-1
Cadet LP-760, GRP CD 817

Cadet LP-760 was released in 1965. GRP CD 817, a Sonny Stitt compilation titled How High The Moon appeared in 1998. Information about matrixes from Lord.



From the collection of Armin Büttner


Dexter Gordon

Dexter Gordon (ts); John Young (p); Rufus Reid (b); Wilbur Campbell (d)
.

Possibly North Park Hotel, Chicago, July 26, 1970


Love For Sale
J For Jazz JFJ 802

Sticky Wicket
J For Jazz JFJ 802

The Shadow Of Your Smile
J For Jazz JFJ 802

Rhythm-a-ning
J For Jazz JFJ 802

Are these from the afternoon set or the evening set of the next entry? Or from a completely different date? To be researched.
J For Jazz JFJ 82 is a bootleg LP titled Charles Mingus - Dexter Gordon - Charlie Parker.



From the collection of Hubi Horst

Gene Ammons & Dexter Gordon

The Chase!

Gene Ammons (ts-1); Dexter Gordon (ts-2); John Young (p-4); Jodie Christian (p-5); Cleveland Eaton (b-4); Rufus Reid (b-5); Steve McCall (d-4); Wilbur Campbell (d-5) ;Vi Redd (vo-6).

North Park Hotel, Chicago, July 26, 1970


Wee Dot-2,4
Prestige P24046, Prestige PRCD-24166

Polka Dots And Moon Beams-2,4
Prestige P10010, Prestige PRCD-24166

The Chase-1,2,5
Prestige P10010, Prestige PRCD-24166

Medley-1,2,5:
• Lover Man
• I Can't Get Started
• My Funny Valentine
• Misty

Prestige PRCD-24166

Lonesome Lover Blues-1,2,5,6
Prestige P10010, Prestige PRCD-24166

The Happy Blues-1,4,
Prestige P10010, Prestige PRCD-24166

The tracks with Young-Eaton-McCall are said to be from the afternoon set, the tracks with Christian-Reid-Campbell from the evening set. Prestige P100010 is the original issue of this material. Wee Dot was first issued on the sampler 25 Years Of Prestige (Prestige P24046).


Charlie Parker Memorial Concert

A Musical Tribute to Charlie Parker

Arthur Hoyle (tp-1, flhrn-1); Howard McGhee (tp-2), Red Rodney (tp-3); Kenny Dorham (tp-4); Ray Nance (tp, voc-4); Vi Redd (as-2); Lee Konitz (as-1, ts-1); Dexter Gordon (ts-3); Von Freeman (ts-3); Joe Dailey (ts-4); John Young (p-1), Jodie Christian (p-2,3); Richard Abrams (p-4); Rufus Reid (b); Philly Joe Jones (d-1), Wilbur Campbell (d-2.4); .Roy Haynes (d-3); Eddie Jefferson (voc-5).

Roosevelt College, Chicago, August 2, 1970

18772 Yardbird Suite-1
Cadet 2CA60002
18773 Scrapple From The Apple-1
Cadet 2CA60002
18774 Ornithology-2
Cadet 2CA60002
18775 Groovin High-3
Cadet 2CA60002
18776 Billie's Bounce-3
Cadet 2CA60002
18777 Night In Tunisia
unissued
18778 Scarecrow Woman
unissued
18779 Now's the Time-1,5
Cadet 2CA60002
18780 Parker's Mood-1,5
Cadet 2CA60002
18781 Disappointed/Lady Be Good-1,5
Cadet 2CA60002
18782 Just Friends-4
Cadet 2CA60002
18783 Summertime-4
Cadet 2CA60002

Session Information from Lord. It is not known which configuration played the two unissued tracks.


Von Freeman

Doin' It Right Now

Von Freeman (ts); John Young (p); Sam Jones (b); Jimmy Cobb (d).

Atlantic Recording Studios, New York, July, 1972


The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face
Atlantic SD 1628, Koch International CD 8536

White Sand
Atlantic SD 1628, Koch International CD 8536

Lost In A Fog
Atlantic SD 1628, Koch International CD 8536

Portrait Of John Young
Atlantic SD 1628, Koch International CD 8536

Doin' It Right Now
Atlantic SD 1628, Koch International CD 8536

Catnap
Atlantic SD 1628, Koch International CD 8536

Sweet And Lovely
Atlantic SD 1628, Koch International CD 8536

Brother George
Atlantic SD 1628, Koch International CD 8536

Atlantic SD 1628 Doin It Right Now was released in 1972. The CD issue on Koch International in 2000. The album was produced by Rahsaan Roland Kirk.



From the collection of Otto Flückiger


George Freeman

New Improved Funk

George Freeman (eg); Von Freeman (ts); John Young (p-1); Bobby Blevins (org-2); LeRoy Jackson (b-1); Bob Guthrie (d-1); Marion Booker (d-2).

Probably 1972


New Improved Funk-2
Groove Merchant GM 519, LRC 9037

Daffy-1
Groove Merchant GM 519, LRC 9037

Happy Fingers-2
Groove Merchant GM 519, LRC 9037

All In The Game-2
Groove Merchant GM 519, LRC 9037

Big Finish-2
Groove Merchant GM 519, LRC 9037

Guitar Lover Man-1
Groove Merchant GM 519, LRC 9037

Good Morning Heartache-1
Groove Merchant GM 519

Some Enchanted Evening-1
Groove Merchant GM 519

Confirmed Truth-2
Groove Merchant GM 519, LRC 9037

Groove Merchant GM 519 was released in 1972. Information from a copy in the collection of Otto Flückiger. The sleeve of GM 519 is more or less wrong regarding who plays on which tracks. LRC 9037 entitled All In the Game was released 1977. It's remaining tracks stem from another session by George Freeman.


From the collection of Armin Büttner


Joe Venuti

Joe In Chicago, 1978

Joe Venuti (vln) John Young (p) Mike Dowling (g) Steve Goodman (g-1) Jethro Burns (mand) John Vany (b) Barrett Deems (d)

Chicago, 1976


Samba de Orfeu

Flying Fish FF-077, FF-077-2 [CD]

(Theme From) Spartacus

Flying Fish FF-077, FF-077-2 [CD]

After You've Gone
Flying Fish FF-077, FF-077-2 [CD]

Strike Up The Band

Flying Fish FF-077, FF-077-2 [CD]

Fascinating Rhythm
Flying Fish FF-077, FF-077-2 [CD]

I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face

Flying Fish FF-077, FF-077-2 [CD]

On The Street Where You Live
Flying Fish FF-077, FF-077-2 [CD]

Honeysuckle Rose-1
Flying Fish FF-077, FF-077-2 [CD]

Flying Fish FF-077 and it's Cd issue also have a track recorded with another personnel in 1978. All Information from Tom Lord and a copy of Flying Fish FF-077 in the collection of Armin Büttner .


From the collection of Armin Büttner


Von Freeman

Have No Fear / Serenade & Blues

Von Freeman (ts); John Young (p); David Shipp (b); Wilbur Campbell (d).

Chicago, June 11, 1975


Mr. Lucky
Nessa N-8

Swinging The Blues
Nessa N-8

Polka Dots And Moonbeams
Nessa N-8

Have No Fear, Soul Is Here
Nessa N-8

Boomerang
Nessa N-8 [CD]

Serenade In Blue
Nessa N-11

After Dark
Nessa N-11

Time After Time
Nessa N-11

Von Freeman's Blues
Nessa N-11

I'll Close My Eyes
Nessa N-11

Nessa N-8 Have No Fear was released in 1975. Nessa N-11 Serenade & Blues in 1979.


Von Freeman Quartet

Young And Foolish

Von Freeman (ts); John Young (p); David Shipp (b); Charles Walton (d).

International NOS Jazz Festival, Singer Concert Hall, Laren, The Netherlands, August 12, 1977


I'll Close My Eyes
Daybreak (Du)D002, Daybreak Challenge DB CHR 75017

Young And Foolish
Daybreak (Du)D002, Daybreak Challenge DB CHR 75017

After Dark Daybreak Challenge DB CHR 75017

Bye Bye Blackbird
Daybreak (Du)D002, Daybreak Challenge DB CHR 75017


From the collection of Armin Büttner


Luba Raushiek

Luba

Luba Raushiek (voc); Ari Brown (ss); Grady Johnson (as, fl); Von Freeman (ts); John Young (p); Milton Suggs (b); Robert Shy (d).

Chicago, probably 1981


Love Makes the World Go Round (Rashiek)
Erect EJLP 702

Lover Man (Davis-Sherman-Ramirez)
Erect EJLP 702

Birdland Revisited (Rashiek)
Erect EJLP 702

Well You Needn't (Monk-Sunne-Rashiek)
Erect EJLP 702

Enterprise (Rashiek)
Erect EJLP 702

Impressions (Coltrane-Rashiek)
Erect EJLP 702

Oh, What a World (Ari Brown)
Erect EJLP 702

Erect EJLP 702 was released in 1981. According to Dusty Groove Records, who offered a copy of this LP on their website, Rashiek was very active on the Chicago club scene during the early eighties. In "Enterprise" Rashiek praises the monday nights at Chicago's Club Enterprise, where, according to the lyrics, the band consisted of John Young, bassist Dave Shipp and drummer Charles Walton and "standing at the bar: the international tenor star Von Freeman".



From the collection of Armin Büttner

Eddie Johnson

Indian Summer

Paul Serrano (tp except -1); Eddie Johnson (ts); John Young (p); Eddie de Haas (b); George Hughes (d).

P.S. Studios, Chicago, June 24 and July 2, 1981


Self Portrait (of the Bean) (Ellington-Strayhorn) -1
Nessa N-22

Indian Summer (Herbert)
Nessa N-22

The Choice (T. Thompson)
Nessa N-22

Blue Star (Carter)
Nessa N-22

Splanky (Hefti)
Nessa N-22

Misty Thursday (D. Jordan)
Nessa N-22

My Baby Just Cares for Me (Donaldson-Kahn)
Nessa N-22

I'm Old Fashioned
unissued

Nessa N-22 was an LP released toward the end of 1981. Tom Lord's Jazz Discography incorrectly has Paul Serrano playing only on "Splanky," "Misty Thursday," and "My Baby Just Cares for Me." Serrano also owned the recording studio. Thanks to Chuck Nessa for information about the unissued track.

Eddie Johnson returned to the Chicago Jazz Festival in September 1981, where two sets of music were broadcast.


Eddie Johnson / Paul Serrano Quintet

Paul Serrano (tp); Eddie Johnson (ts); John Young (p); Eddie de Haas (b); George Hughes (d).

Chicago Jazz Festival, Grant Park, Chicago, September 3 [?], 1981


Splanky (Hefti)
radio broadcast, unnumbered CD

Strike Up the Band (Gershwin-Gershwin)
radio broadcast, unnumbered CD

Ghost of a Chance
radio broadcast, unnumbered CD

Polka Dots and Moonbeams
radio broadcast, unnumbered CD

Walkin' (Carpenter)
radio broadcast, unnumbered CD

There is a tape of 40-minute broadcast with good sound quality. The broadcast originated with the Chicago-area National Public Radio station. The personnel is announced on the broadcast and is the same group that recorded for Nessa. The tape box carries June 3rd as the date, but the festival was in September. In January 1999 some CDs were burned containing this session.



From the collection of Armin Büttner


Pete and Conte Candoli

Two Brothers

Pete Candoli (tp); Conte Candoli (tp); John Young (p); Wilbur Campbell (b); Dan Shapera (d).
Live "Rick's Cafe", Chicago, IL, March, 1983


A Night In Tunisia
Hindsight 623

Stompin' at the Savoy
Hindsight 623

Jitterbug Waltz
Hindsight 623

Willow Weep For Me
Hindsight 623

(Back Home Again In) Indiana
Hindsight 623

My Funny Valentine
Hindsight 623

I Can't Get Started
Hindsight 623

St. Thomas
Hindsight 623


Information from the online All Music Guide. Hindsight 623 was released in december 1999.

John Young

Think Young

John Young (p); John Whitfield (b); George Hughes (d).

Chicago, August 27,1987


In And Out
Major Label 3707

Trolley Song
Major Label 3707

Love Theme From «Spartacus»
Major Label 3707

John's Tune
Major Label 3707

Everything Must Change
Major Label 3707

Beautiful Day
Major Label 3707


Major Label 3707 was released in summer 1987. We have never seen a copy of this LP.


Jazz Chicago Style

Brad Goode (tp except -3); Paul McKee (tb except -3); Frank Tiberi (ss -2; cl except -2 and -3); Eddie Johnson (ts except -3); John Young (p innards -3; p); Eddie DeHaas (b); Joel Spencer (d); Duane Themm (vib -1); Nancy Riley (voc); Everett Green (voc).

Chicago, 1992


Dippermouth Blues*
Ameritech CD

Singin' the Blues*
Ameritech CD

Struttin' with Some Barbecue*
Ameritech CD

Do Nothing till You Hear from Me
Ameritech CD

Lover Man* [NR voc]
Ameritech CD

Seven Come Eleven* -1
Ameritech CD

Everyday I Have the Blues* [EG voc]
Ameritech CD

In and Out -3
Ameritech CD

All of Me -2 [NR voc]
Ameritech CD

Nature Boy
Ameritech CD

Red Top
Ameritech CD

Freedom Jazz Dance
Ameritech CD

This historical overview of Chicago jazz was made specially for Ameritech (a large regional telecommunications company, one of the "Baby Bells," with headquarters in Chicago) in 1992. The serial number on the CD is unknown (if in fact there was one). Thanks to Eddie De Haas for providing a dub. Eddie Johnson is plentifully featured with solos (and a prominent vocal accompaniment on "Lover Man").


John Young and Joe Segal

John Young with Joe Segal at the Jazz Showcase, 1990s. From the collection of Charles Walton.



John Young and Joe Segal

From the collection of Armin Büttner.



Yusef Lateef / Von Freeman

Tenors

Yusef Lateef, Von Freeman (ts); John Young (p); John Whitfield (b); Terry Morrisette (d).

Chicago, July 1992


Windy City
YAL 977

Freddie Webster
YAL 977

South Side
YAL 977

Swing Lee
YAL 977

Quality Control
YAL 977

Ike Day
YAL 977

Delta Market Place
YAL 977

King Kolax
YAL 977

Although the titles more or less all have Chicago related titles, this really is a free blowing session, the material seldom consists of more than a few sketchy lines. Yal is Yusef Lateefs own label, other CDs in the "Tenors" series pair Lateef with Archie Shepp, René McLean, and Ricky Ford.

John Bany

John Bany Sings...For His Favorite People,...But Not Enough To Hurt His Playing

Greg Fishman (ts) John Young (p) John Bany (b,vcl) Martin Bany (d)

Probably Chicago, 1993


The Best Things In Life Are Free
JBS 1 [CD]

You're My Thrill
JBS 1 [CD]

The Jersey Bounce
JBS 1 [CD]

I Want A Little Girl
JBS 1 [CD]

Tea For Two
JBS 1 [CD]

Five Foot Two
JBS 1 [CD]

Accentuate The Positive
JBS 1 [CD]

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
JBS 1 [CD]

You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby
JBS 1 [CD]

Gee, Baby Ain't I Good To You
JBS 1 [CD]

Medley:
- All Blues
- Johnny B. Goode

JBS 1 [CD]

I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
JBS 1 [CD]

Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby
JBS 1 [CD]



From the collection of Armin Büttner


Everett Greene

At Last

Everett Greene (voc); John Young (p); John Whitfield (b); Gerryck King (d).

Probably Chicago, 1994


Folks Who Live on the Hill
Elusive Disc Evergreen1

If You Went Away
Elusive Disc Evergreen1

Do Nothing Til You Hear From Me
Elusive Disc Evergreen1

Whispering Grass
Elusive Disc Evergreen1

Nobody Does It Better
Elusive Disc Evergreen1

It Never Entered My Mind;
Elusive Disc Evergreen1

Blues
Elusive Disc Evergreen1

The Mother Of Sin
Elusive Disc Evergreen1

Little Mama
Elusive Disc Evergreen1

Lush Life
Elusive Disc Evergreen1

Old Folks
Elusive Disc Evergreen1

Watch What Happens
Elusive Disc Evergreen1

Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most
Elusive Disc Evergreen1

Information from Tom Lord and a copy of Elusive Disc Evergreen1 in the collection of Armin Büttner.



From the collection of Armin Büttner


Eddie Johnson

Love You Madly

Eddie Johnson (ts); John Young (p); Eddie de Haas (b); George Hughes (d).

Riverside Studios, Chicago, January 6 and 7, 1999


I Love You Madly
Delmark DE-515

Gravy Waltz
Delmark DE-515

Eyes of Love
Delmark DE-515

My Buddy
Delmark DE-515

Trombonio-Bustoso-Issimo
Delmark DE-515

Wanderlust
Delmark DE-515

This Love of Mine
Delmark DE-515

Whirley Bird
Delmark DE-515

Who Can I Turn To?
Delmark DE-515

You Dirty Dog
Delmark DE-515

Delmark DE-515, Love You Madly, was released on CD in the summer of 1999. All information from the liner notes.


John Young passed on April 16 2008.