- Aaron Bell
Samuel Aaron Bell (April 24, 1922,
Muskogee, Oklahoma - July 28, 2003) was an Americanjazz double-bass ist.As a child, Bell played piano, and learned brass instruments in
high school . He attendedXavier University , where he began playing bass, and graduated in 1942; following this he joined the Navy, completing his service in 1946. He was a member ofAndy Kirk 's band in 1946 but enrolled atNYU in 1947. After completing a master's degree he joinedLucky Millinder 's band and then gigged withTeddy Wilson .In the 1950s, Bell appeared on
Billie Holiday 's album "Lady Sings the Blues" and withLester Young ,Stan Kenton ,Johnny Hodges ,Cab Calloway ,Carmen McRae , andDick Haymes . In 1960 he left Hayes' band after being offered a position in theDuke Ellington Orchestra, opposite drummerSam Woodyard . He left in 1962, spending time withDizzy Gillespie before taking jobs on Broadway as a pit musician. He and Ellington collaborated once more in 1957, on a tribute toBilly Strayhorn .Bell held a residence at the La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in
New York City from 1969 to 1972. He also began teaching atEssex College inNewark in 1970, remaining there until 1990. Later in the 1970s he toured withNorris Turney ,Harold Ashby , andCat Anderson ; in the 1980s he returned to piano playing, and retired from active performance in 1989. He died in 2003.References
* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:kiftxqu5ld6e~T1 Aaron Bell] at
Allmusic
* [http://www.jazzhouse.org/gone/lastpost2.php3?edit=1059834809 Biography] by Todd S. Jenkins
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