JIMMY WITHERSPOON AND WILBUR DE PARIS

Biography

Jimmy Witherspoon (August 8, 1920 – September 18, 1997) was an American jump blues and jazz singer born in Gurdon, Clark County, Arkansas. He first gained attention singing in Calcutta, India, with Teddy Weatherford's band during World War II over US Armed Forces Radio Service broadcasts. Returning to the US, he recorded his first sides with Jay McShann's band in 1945, made his debut under his own name in 1947, and achieved his signature hit 'Ain't Nobody's Business' in 1949 still with McShann. In 1956, Witherspoon collaborated with trombonist Wilbur De Paris and his New New Orleans Jazz Band on the album New Orleans Blues for Atlantic Records, an unusual venture blending his blues shouting style with traditional New Orleans jazz.[2][3][8]

Wilbur De Paris, a skilled trombonist and bandleader, began his career in 1919 in Philadelphia, playing C-melody saxophone before switching to trombone. He worked with bands including Jelly Roll Morton (1930), Louis Armstrong (1937-40), and Duke Ellington (1945-47), then formed his New New Orleans Jazz Band in the 1950s with his brother Sidney De Paris (trumpet) as star soloist. The band became the house group at Jimmy Ryan's in New York from 1951 for 11 years, recording albums like That's a Plenty. The 1956 session with Witherspoon marked a distinctive fusion of blues and trad jazz.[1][6][8]

Witherspoon's career spanned decades, with further hits in 1950, European tours including with Buck Clayton (1961), and 1970s collaborations like Guilty! with Eric Burdon. He continued performing into the 1990s and appeared in films such as Georgia (1995). His legacy endures as a quintessential blues shouter in the Big Joe Turner tradition, while De Paris preserved New Orleans jazz vitality.[2][4]

Fun Facts

• Jimmy Witherspoon's 1956 album New Orleans Blues with Wilbur De Paris was an unusual blend, pairing his jump blues shouting with traditional New Orleans jazz instrumentation.[8]
• Wilbur De Paris' New New Orleans Jazz Band served as the house band at Jimmy Ryan's club in New York for 11 straight years from 1951 until the venue's demolition in 1962.[1]
• Witherspoon got his break singing in India during WWII with Teddy Weatherford's band, broadcasting over US Armed Forces Radio.[2]
• De Paris worked anonymously in big bands like Louis Armstrong's (1937-40) and Duke Ellington's (1945-47) before leading his successful trad jazz group.[1]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Jay McShann - Early bandleader who provided Witherspoon's first recording opportunities and major hit (Early records 1945, 'Ain't Nobody's Business' 1949) [1945-1949]
• Teddy Weatherford - Bandleader during WWII where Witherspoon first attracted attention via radio broadcasts (Calcutta performances) [1940s WWII]

Key Collaborators

• Wilbur De Paris - Bandleader of New New Orleans Jazz Band; Witherspoon fronted for trad jazz album (New Orleans Blues (Atlantic, 1956)) [1956]
• Sidney Bechet - Frequent recording and performance associate for De Paris; indirect link via band (Sessions 1949-1951) [1949-1951]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Cold Cold Feeling (Spoon's Life (Blues Power))
2. Help Me (Spoon's Life (Blues Power))
3. Night Life (Spoon's Life (Blues Power))
4. Big Boss Man (Spoon's Life (Blues Power))
5. Worried Life Blues (Spoon's Life (Blues Power))
6. Did You Ever (Spoon's Life (Blues Power))
7. Blues With a Feeling (Spoon's Life (Blues Power))
8. Big Leg Woman (Spoon's Life (Blues Power))

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia