Since its 1966 release it's been an irresistible call to the dance floor: "Everybody get on your feet... we doin' a dance that can't be beat!" The song – 'Barefootin''; the singer – Robert Parker. Sadly Parker died on Sunday, 19th January in New Orleans. Reports say it was "death from natural causes". He was 89.
Born in New Orleans in 1930, Robert Parker began his music career as the sax player in Professor Longhair's band. It's his sax on the 1949 hit 'Mardi Gras In New Orleans'. Proud of his city, Robert was happy to work the Crescent City music circuit, regularly collaborating with people like Fats Domino, Irma Thomas, Ernie K-Doe, Frankie Ford and Huey 'Piano' Smith. In 1950 he had a local solo hit with the Ron recoding of 'All Night Long' – a rockin instrumental. In 1966 he stepped up as a singer and recorded the wonderful 'Barefootin'' for the small Nola label which broke out of New Orleans to become a worldwide smash – covered countless times and still played in clubs and on the oldies radio stations.... and no wonder... it's totally infectious and always sounds vital! Parker's only other hit was 'Tip Toe' though UK R&B fans have fond memories of his 'Let's Go Baby' and the instrumental 'Walkin'' – two slabs of the classic New Orleans sound. Indeed Parker stayed in New Orleans and though never a big star, he was a mainstay on the local scene performing in clubs right into his 80s... often singing 'Barefootin'' without his shoes and socks! He's survived by his wife, Carolyn, several children and grandchildren.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 21 January 2020 10:23
Jazz and soul trumpet player JIMMY HEATH died on Sunday 19th January. He was 93. Born in Philadelphia in 1926, Jimmy will best remembered for his work with the Heath Brothers... Jimmy on trumpet, Percy on bass and Albert on drums. In his career Heath worked with jazz luminaries like John Coltrane, Benny Golson and Ray Bryant and in 1959 he worked with Miles Davis. Soul and smooth jazz fans will remember the Heath Brothers for their 1980 and 1981 singles 'For The Public' and 'Dreamin'. Jimmy was also the father of the R&B songwriter/musician James Mtume.
Just before Christmas GEORGIE B and his GROOVE ASSOCIATION launched a whole remixed version of their 2018 long player 'More And More'. Now to add a little more variety (confusion, some might say!), George has just released the title cut in another new remix ... the "Curiosity remix". "Curious", yes... drawing inspiration from Midnight Star's 'Curious'... a catchy little outing. What more from 'More And More'? This new mix, by the way, is only available via the Groove Association web site
JEANIE BARTON is anew (ish) kid on the UK jazz block. Hailing from Nottingham, she's worked with plenty of UK jazz "names" – Georgie Fame amongst them - and played at prestigious venues like The Jazz Cafe, The 606 club and Ronnie Scott's.
'Green Light' is the lead single from smooth jazz sax man LEBRON'S latest and third LP 'Undeniable'. 'Green Light' is an excellent choice as lead off.... it's a classic, groove-heavy slab of contemporary smooth jazz... the sort of thing that rules the Billboard Smooth Jazz chart!
