Jazz and blues singer Jimmy Rushing (1901-1972) reached the peak of his popularity during his 15-year stint with the Count Basie band (1935-1950). But he had begun performing at clubs in California in the mid-1920s.
In 1927, Rushing joined Walter Page's Blue Devils. Two years later, he went with Bennie Moten's band. When Moten died in 1935, Basie took over the orchestra.
By the time Rushing Lullabies came out on Columbia in 1960, the singer was in his mid-50s but still at the top of his game. The backing group on the album couldn't have been better -- pianist Ray Bryant, organist Sir Charles Thompson, saxophonist Buddy Tate, guitarist Skeeter Best, bassist Gene Ramey and drummer Jo Jones. Here's a sample, taken from a cassette copy of the album.
'Deed I Do
Rushing Lullabies has received at least three releases on CD -- as a single album in 1996, paired with the 1959 LP Little Jimmy Rushing and the Big Brass a year later and another pairing with Brubeck and Rushing (with the Dave Brubeck Quartet) in 2010. Copies of all are available. Rushing Lullabies can also be purchased as a download. Visit Amazon for all the details.
Via YouTube, here's another selection from Rushing Lullabies.
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