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JUNIOR MANCE
JUNIOR MANCE, born Julian
Clifford Mance, Jr., in Chicago, Illinois on October 10, 1928 is a jazz
pianist, composer, author of "HOW TO PLAY BLUES PIANO", and recording
artist of thirty plus albums as a leader and numerous recordings as a
sideman. Junior began playing the piano at the age of five, but did not
begin formal training until the age of eight. He started playing
professionally during his early teens. He attended Roosevelt College in
Chicago as a music major.
In 1947 Junior left Roosevelt College
to join Gene Ammons' band and began his recording career with Gene. He
joined Lester Young in 1949 for almost two years, and rejoined Ammons
several months in 1951 before being drafted into the U. S. Army. He
served in the 36th Army Band at Fort Knox, Kentucky along with Julian
"Cannonball" Adderley.
After his discharge from the Army in
1953, Junior became part of the house rhythm section at the Bee Hive
Jazz Club in Chicago for a year, and accompanied jazz greats such as
Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Sonny Stitt,
and many others.
In 1954 Junior joined and toured with Dinah
Washington. Among the numerous recordings he made with her, there are
two that really stand out in his memory: "DINAH JAMS" and "JAM
SESSION". They are two live albums featuring Clifford Brown, Max Roach,
Clark Terry, Maynard Ferguson, Herb Geller, Harold Land, Keter Betts,
George Morrow, Richie Powell and Junior.
In 1956 Junior reunited
with Cannonball Adderley, becoming a member of Cannonball's first
organized working band. The band did a series of recordings on Mercury
Records.
Junior joined Dizzy Gillespie's band in 1958, a period
Junior considers one of the highlights of his career. Besides the joy
and fun of playing with Dizzy, he remembers this period as a great
learning experience in musicianship, showmanship, and just about
everything related to the business of music.
In 1961 Junior
decided to form his own trio, following the release of his first
recording as a leader. ("JUNIOR", Verve Records ) In between gigs with
his trio he played and recorded with the Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis/Johnny
Griffin Quintet. With his trio he also accompanied singer Joe Williams
in l963/64
In 1988 Junior became a member of the faculty of the
JAZZ AND CONTEMPORARY MUSIC PROGRAM at the New School University in New
York City. He teaches classes in Blues, Blues Ensembles, and private
individual lessons and instruction on piano and helping students in the
development of their career in playing jazz.
During the 1990's
Junior has been part of a very elite group called "100 GOLD FINGERS".
This is a group which tours Japan every other year, consisting of ten
outstanding jazz pianists. On various tours the group has included
people such as Hank Jones, John Lewis, Tommy Flanagan, Kenny Barron,
Ray Bryant, Roger Kellaway, Gene Harris, Marion McPartland, Barry
Harris, Toshiko Akioshi, Lynn Arriale, Cyrus Chestnut, Benny Green,
Duke Jordan, Jo Anne Brackeen, Monty Alexander, Dave McKenna, Renee
Rosnes, Mulgrew Miller, Harold Maybern as well as Junior and a the
rhythm section consisting of bassist Bob Cranshaw and either Alan
Dawson or Grady Tate on drums.
On November 21, 1997, at Tampa
Florida, Junior was inducted into THE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ HALL OF FAME,
an honor Junior is extremely proud of, being in the elite company of
many of his heroes, both past and present.
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