Mose Allison

Biography

Mose Allison was born on November 11, 1927, in Tippo, Mississippi, in the heart of the Delta country. Raised on his grandfather’s farm, Allison’s earliest musical experiences came from listening to blues records on the jukebox at his father’s service station and taking piano lessons from age five, quickly discovering his talent for playing by ear and a preference for bluesy songs. He led a Dixieland band in high school, played trumpet, and after serving in the Army, studied English at the University of Mississippi and Louisiana State University[3][4].

Allison moved to New York City in 1956, where he launched his jazz career, performing with leading figures like Stan Getz, Gerry Mulligan, Al Cohn, and Zoot Sims[1][2]. His debut album, 'Back Country Suite' (1957), evoked the Mississippi Delta and received critical acclaim. Allison became known for his unique blend of modern jazz and blues, marked by witty, ironic lyrics and a laid-back vocal style. He formed his own trio and, by the early 1960s, was recognized as both a gifted pianist and vocalist, with songs like 'Parchman Farm' becoming standards[1][2][3].

Throughout his career, Allison’s music bridged genres and generations, influencing rock, blues, and jazz musicians alike. His songwriting, characterized by subtle humor and evocative moods, earned him a reputation as one of the finest 20th-century blues songwriters. He continued recording and performing into the 1990s, and his legacy endures through the many artists who have covered his songs and cited him as an inspiration[1][4].

Fun Facts

• Mose Allison wrote his first song as a parody in the style of jump bluesman Louis Jordan during his early teens[3].
• He sat in with B.B. King in Memphis several times before launching his recording career[4].
• Allison dropped his most requested song, 'Parchman Farm,' from his playlist in the 1980s, partly due to criticism over its political correctness and changing times[1].
• He was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2006[1].

Associated Acts

• The Al Cohn & Zoot Sims Quintet
• The Mose Allison Trio - eponymous

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Nat Cole - Major early piano influence (General stylistic influence) [1940s]
• Percy Mayfield - Influenced vocal style (General stylistic influence) [1940s-1950s]
• Charles Brown - Influenced vocal style (General stylistic influence) [1940s-1950s]
• John Lewis - Modern pianistic influence (General stylistic influence) [1950s]
• Thelonious Monk - Modern pianistic influence (General stylistic influence) [1950s]
• Al Haig - Modern pianistic influence (General stylistic influence) [1950s]

Key Collaborators

• Stan Getz - Performed and recorded together (Live performances, recordings) [1956-1957]
• Al Cohn - Performed and recorded together; gave Allison encouragement and first record date (Live performances, recordings) [1956-1957]
• Zoot Sims - Performed and recorded together (Live performances, recordings) [1956-1957]
• Gerry Mulligan - Performed and recorded together (Live performances, recordings) [1956-1957]
• Addison Farmer - Bass player in Mose Allison Trio (Mose Allison Trio) [1958]
• Nick Stabulas - Drummer in Mose Allison Trio (Mose Allison Trio) [1958]
• Van Morrison - Collaborated on tribute album (Tell Me Something: The Songs of Mose Allison) [1990s]
• Georgie Fame - Collaborated on tribute album (Tell Me Something: The Songs of Mose Allison) [1990s]
• Ben Sidran - Collaborated on tribute album (Tell Me Something: The Songs of Mose Allison) [1990s]

Artists Influenced

• Pete Townshend/The Who - Covered 'Young Man Blues' (Live at Leeds) [1970]
• John Mayall - Covered 'Parchman Farm' (Various recordings) [1960s]
• Georgie Fame - Used many Allison songs (Various recordings) [1960s-1970s]
• Leon Russell - Recorded 'I'm Smashed' (Various recordings) [1970s]
• The Clash - Recorded 'Look Here' (Sandinista!) [1980]
• Bonnie Raitt - Recorded 'Everybody's Cryin' Mercy' (Various recordings) [1970s-1980s]
• Jimi Hendrix - Cited as influence (General stylistic influence) [1960s]
• J.J. Cale - Cited as influence (General stylistic influence) [1970s]
• The Yardbirds - Cited as influence (General stylistic influence) [1960s]
• The Rolling Stones - Cited as influence (General stylistic influence) [1960s]
• Tom Waits - Cited as influence (General stylistic influence) [1970s-1980s]
• Pixies - Wrote song 'Allison' as tribute (Bossanova) [1990]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Your Mind Is on Vacation (I Don't Worry About A Thing)
2. Young Man's Blues (Mose Allison Sings)
3. I Don't Worry About a Thing (I Don't Worry About A Thing)
4. The Seventh Son (Mose Allison Sings)
5. I Hadn't Anyone Till You (Mose Allison Sings)
6. Don't Get Around Much Anymore (Mose Allison Sings)
7. Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me (Mose Allison Sings)
8. I Got A Right To Cry - Remastered (Mose Allison Sings)
9. That's All Right (Mose Allison Sings)
10. Parchman Farm (Local Color)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #blues, #jazz, #jazz-blues