paul gayten

Biography

Paul Gayten (January 29, 1920 – March 26, 1991) was a pioneering American R&B pianist, bandleader, songwriter, producer, and record company executive, whose work was instrumental in shaping the sound of New Orleans rhythm and blues. Born in Kentwood, Louisiana, Gayten was immersed in music from an early age, being the nephew of renowned blues pianist Little Brother Montgomery. As a teenager, he played piano in local bands and formed his own group, Paul Gayten's Sizzling Six, which featured future jazz luminary Teddy Edwards. During World War II, he led a band at an Army base in Biloxi, Mississippi, before moving to New Orleans, where his trio became a fixture at Club Robin Hood.

Gayten's career took off in the late 1940s when he recorded two early New Orleans R&B hits, "True (You Don't Love Me)" and "Since I Fell for You" (the latter featuring vocalist Annie Laurie), both of which reached the R&B top ten. He expanded his group into a nine-piece orchestra, wrote the #1 R&B hit "For You My Love" for Larry Darnell, and toured widely, sharing bills with jazz greats like Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. In the 1950s, Gayten transitioned from performing to producing and talent scouting, joining Chess Records where he discovered and produced Clarence "Frogman" Henry's hits, co-wrote "But I Do," and contributed as a pianist to Chuck Berry's recordings. In the late 1960s, he founded his own label, Pzazz, and continued to influence the music industry until his retirement.

Gayten's musical style blended boogie-woogie, jump blues, and early R&B, laying groundwork for the emergence of rock and roll. His legacy endures through his recordings, his role in launching the careers of other artists, and his contributions to the evolution of American popular music.

Fun Facts

• Gayten's band once included future jazz saxophonist Hank Mobley and singer Little Jimmy Scott, both of whom became notable in their own right.
• He appeared on double bills with jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker during his orchestra's tours.
• Gayten recorded a single for Anna Records, the precursor to Motown, owned by Berry Gordy.
• He founded his own label, Pzazz, in 1969, which at one time featured the legendary Louis Jordan.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Little Brother Montgomery - Gayten's uncle and an influential blues pianist who helped shape his early musical foundation. (Family influence, general piano style) [1920s–1930s]

Key Collaborators

• Annie Laurie - Frequent vocalist with Gayten's trio and orchestra, featured on several hits. ("Since I Fell for You", "I'll Never Be Free") [1947–early 1950s]
• Teddy Edwards - Saxophonist in Gayten's early band, the Sizzling Six. (Paul Gayten's Sizzling Six) [1930s]
• Edgar Blanchard - Guitarist in Gayten's first combo. (DeLuxe Records sessions) [1947]
• Earl Palmer - Drummer in Gayten's band during the mid-1950s. (Argo label recordings) [1950s]
• Lee Allen - Saxophonist in Gayten's band. (Argo label recordings) [1950s]
• Clarence "Frogman" Henry - Discovered and produced by Gayten at Chess Records. ("Ain't Got No Home", "But I Do") [1956–1961]

Artists Influenced

• Clarence "Frogman" Henry - Gayten launched his career, producing and co-writing major hits. ("Ain't Got No Home", "But I Do") [1956–1961]
• Bobby Charles - Produced Charles' hit "Later Alligator" at Chess Records. ("Later Alligator") [1950s]
• Chuck Berry - Gayten played piano on several Berry tracks, contributing to their sound. ("Carol", "Beautiful Delilah", "Vacation Time") [1950s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. You Better Believe It (Ain't Nothin' Happenin' - Cool Jump Blues)
2. You Better Believe It (Chess King Of New Orleans (Expanded Edition))
3. Nervous Boogie (Chess King Of New Orleans (Expanded Edition))
4. My Rough and Ready Man (Rough and Ready)
5. I Ain't Gonna Let You In (Ain't Nothin' Happenin' - Cool Jump Blues)
6. You Better Believe It (The Chess Story 1957-1964)
7. Driving Home Part 1 (Hits That Jumped!)
8. Hot Cross Buns (Chess King Of New Orleans (Expanded Edition))
9. Cow Cow Blues (The Okeh Rhythm & Blues Story 1949-1957)
10. Mother Roux (Chess King Of New Orleans (Expanded Edition))

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia