Ralph Sutton

Ralph Earl Sutton (November 4, 1922[1] – December 30, 2001)[2] was an American jazz pianist born in Hamburg, Missouri. He was a stride pianist in the tradition of James P. Johnson and Fats Waller.

Ralph Sutton
Birth nameRalph Earl Sutton
Born(1922-11-04)November 4, 1922
Hamburg, Missouri, U.S.
DiedDecember 30, 2001(2001-12-30) (aged 79)
Evergreen, Colorado
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Piano
LabelsArbors

Biography

Sutton was born in Hamburg, Missouri, United States,[1] the son of Earl and Edna Sutton. His younger sister Barbara Sutton Curtis was also a jazz pianist.[3][4]

Sutton had a stint as a session musician with Jack Teagarden's band,[1] before joining the US Army during World War II. After the war, he played at various venues in Missouri, eventually ending up at Eddie Condon's club in Greenwich Village.[1] In 1956, he relocated to San Francisco, California, where he recorded several albums with Bob Scobey's dixieland band. From the 1960s onward, he worked mostly on his own.[1] However, when the World's Greatest Jazz Band was established in 1968, he was the natural choice for piano.[1] He left that band in 1974 due to the extensive travel involved, and joined an old sidekick, Peanuts Hucko, in a quartet in Denver, near his home in Evergreen, Colorado.[5]: 1–4, 133, 202 

Fellow jazz pianist Jess Stacy said this about Ralph Sutton: "He is a superb piano player and a great guy. There's nothing upstage about him. I really admire the way he plays. He's one of the few piano players who uses both hands, and it's sure nice to know that a player like Ralph is still around. I can't say enough good things about him. He's one of the greats, and I hope he gets the recognition he deserves."[5]: 180 

Sutton died of a stroke in Evergreen, Colorado, at the age of 79.[2]

Discography

As leader

As co-leader

With Ruby Braff

  • Remembered (Arbors)
  • Ralph Sutton & Ruby Braff 1980 (Chaz Jazz Records inc.) CJ101
  • Ralph Sutton & Ruby Braff 1980 (Chaz Jazz Records inc.) CJ102

With Dick Cary

  • Rendezvous at Sunnie's 1969 (Arbors)

With Kenny Davern

  • Ralph Sutton and Kenny Davern Vol. I 1980 (Chaz Jazz Records inc.) CJ105
  • Ralph Sutton and Kenny Davern Vol. II 1980 (Chaz Jazz Records inc.) CJ106

With Dick Hyman

  • Dick Hyman/Ralph Sutton 1993 (Concord)

With Jay McShann

With Johnny Varro

  • *A Pair of Kings (Arbors)

References
  1. Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 2425. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  2. Martin, Douglas (January 1, 2002). "Ralph Sutton, 79, the Pianist Known as the Master of Stride". The New York Times.
  3. "Famous Jazz Pianist Raises Funds to Refinish Piano". Ukiah Daily Journal. January 1, 1999. p. 5. Retrieved December 29, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Barbara Sutton Curtis" Ukiah Daily Journal (November 24, 2019).
  5. Shacter, James D. (1975). Piano Man: The Story of Ralph Sutton. Chicago: Jaynar Press. ASIN B0006CEQ3Y.
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