Daily Dose Of Jazz…
James Benjamin Sherman was born on August 17, 1908 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He played piano in dance bands in the late 1920s and played on and off with Jimmy Gorham in the metropolitan Philadelphia area. In 1930 he began playing on a steamboat in Alphonso Trent’s band, then played in the 1930s with Peanuts Holland, Al Sears, Stuff Smith, Lil Armstrong, Putney Dandridge, Mildred Bailey, and Billie Holiday.
From the mid- to late ’30s Jimmy played in various swing groups but is best known for his hand in composing the jazz standard Lover Man, co-written with Jimmy Davis and Roger Ramirez, and was first recorded by Billie Holiday
He became the pianist and arranger for The Charioteers in 1938, remaining with the group until 1952. Following this he played primarily locally in eastern Pennsylvania. In 1960 he took up a residency at Miss Jeanne’s Crossroad Tavern in Chester County, Pennsylvania, where he played until shortly before his death.
Pianist and arranger Jimmy Sherman died on October 11, 1975 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Anthony Dowd was born on August 14, 1957 in Richmond, Virginia and started playing piano by ear at age six. Listening to what he heard on television he figured out on the piano before beginning formal lessons at age 12, studying for about five years. During high school he came across his parent’s big band records and got hooked on swing and looked for more jazz piano.
A few weeks after graduating Benedictine High School, Anthony got a job playing piano with a local big band, The Kings Of Swing, at Kings Dominion Amusement Park. That led to jobs with Busch Gardens and Carnival Cruise Lines. In the early 80s’ he moved to Hartford, Connecticut and honed his solo piano skills at local restaurants, modeling his playing after pianist Dave McKenna.
Returning to Richmond in 1985 he landed a residency leading the house trio at Benjamin’s Restaurant until 1992. In 1994, while playing at the Jefferson Hotel, he hit a high point. Frank Sinatra was in town for some concerts, and after finishing his dinner, joined Dowd at the piano and sang a few tunes. After playing in the mid-Atlantic region, he took a break from playing piano, moved to Tennessee and spent time raising his daughter.
He returned to Virginia in 2003 and found his reputation as an all-around pianist as strong as ever. His style mixes the playing of Oscar Peterson and Bill Evans. His debut release as a leader was Can’t Sleep in 2009. He is featured on bassist Jason Jenkin’s albums and with Roger Carroll on their duet release. He recorded with the Children’s Miracle Network
As an educator he has lectured on jazz piano history for the Retired City of Richmond Employees, Rappahanock Community College and the Northumberland Library System. He formed the Richmond Association of Jazz Artists to promote concerts.
Pianist, singer and songwriter Anthony Dowd, who has composed close to 60 songs, continues to perform, record, compose and sell his tunes to publishers.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Andrew James Quin was born August 12, 1960 in London, England. Not from a musical family, he was offered a scholarship to study classical piano at the Royal College of Music, but turned down the place in order to pursue his growing interests in improvisation, composition and music technology.
He works in TV and film and his music has appeared in Hollywood movies, advertising campaigns, and television programs. His work has appeared in British TV shows such as Coronation Street and Holby City.
Pianist, theatre organist and composer Andy Quin, who has well over one thousand published tracks, continues to perform, compose and record.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Gary Tole was born on July 26, 1951 and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and began playing the trombone at the age of twelve. By the age of sixteen, he was working with all the shows that came into the Pittsburgh area. After attending Duquesne University School of Music, he was offered the first trombone position with the world renowned Glenn Miller Orchestra. After four years of world tour he then toured with Harry James, Tex Beneke, Les Brown and Jimmy Dorsey, the latter he served as road manager and featured trombonist.
By 1978 he relocated and made his permanent residence in Southern California. Whether on stage or in the recording studio, Gary’s smooth, dynamic style has him in constant demand having performed with Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Bernadette Peters, Kenny Rogers, Rita Moreno, Melissa Manchester, James Ingram, and Phil Collins. He has backed television appearances of Diana Ross, Sammy Davis Jr., Bob Hope, Pia Zadora, Sheena Easton, Peabo Bryson, The Pointer Sisters, and many more.
As an active clinician for Yamaha, he finds time to participate in music education programs as a judge for jazz festivals, band and orchestra festivals, private teaching of the low brass instruments and traveling throughout the country conducting various clinics.
Trombonist Gary Tole, who also plays bass trombone and euphonium, continues to perform, compose, tour and record.
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Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Peter Perfido‘was born on July 21, 1956 in Hartford, Connecticut. He started his drumming musical journey in the early Sixties being influenced by the British Wave of the Beatles, the Kinks, the Animals, and the Who. By the mid 70’s Peter had begun to discover jazz and improvised music. While predominantly self-taught, he studied privately with Kit McDermott, Bob Moses and Jerry Granelli. His career has involved playing jazz, improvised music, rock and blues with scores of lauded musicians from diverse styles and backgrounds.
Peter has performed and/or recorded with Chet Baker, Gary Peacock, Lee Konitz, Jimmy Woode, Bill Barron, Art Lande, Julian Priester, David Friedman, Tomasz Stanko, Sal Nistico, Kent Carter, Rasul Siddik, Bob Degen, Heinz Sauer, Bob Mover, Ed Schuller, Anthony Braxton, Joe Lee Wilson, Lou Bennett, Bobby Few, Barney Wilen, Bobby Few, Liz McComb, Michelle Hendricks, Ferenc Snetberger, Rinde Eckert, Lonnie Plaxico , Stephen Haynes, Michel Pilz, Lonnie Plaxico, and the list goes on.
He has toured across the USA, Western Canada, Europe, Asia, the USSR and the Pacific islands. Currently living in Hohrod, Alsace, France, drummer Peter Perfido performs mostly in Europe these days with groups spanning a wide spectrum of influences from mainstream modern jazz to open ended explorations with free improvisation, as well as shuffling and rocking the blues.
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