Continuing down the N'awlins path, we stumble across a man who was sadly lost to us just this year at the age of 78. Mr. Eddie Bo was a singer and pianist who took the funk/jazz world by storm through a number of different names.
Like Dorsey, he too went into service after high school, joining the army. Unlike Dorsey, however, Bo studied music after his spell in the army and actually studied classical piano. That style didn't last long once he met the likes of Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson. Given his immense talent as a musician and arranger, Bo would have few hits of his own, but write songs for countless stars (Etta James, Tommy Ridgley, Little Richard, Robert Parker, and Art Neville).
Bo's music is wider spread than you may know, and you probably would recognize many of his hooks which have been reused and sampled throughout the years. My personal favorite was Tarantino's use of Pass the Hatchet, which Bo recorded under the pseudonym Roger and the Gypsies.
Lastly, if you're in TO and looking for something to do on a Friday night, The Noble Rogues are playing Hard Luck Bar (812 Dundas W) this Friday, Feb 5. (Details).
-I wanna be rich and I wanna be famous, I wanna have everyone know what my name is
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