 Junior Mance
Biography
JUNIOR
MANCE, born Julian Clifford Mance, Jr., in Chicago,
Illinois on October 10, 1928 is a jazz pianist, composer, author of
"HOW TO PLAY BLUES PIANO", and recording artist of thirty plus
albums as a leader and numerous recordings as a sideman. Junior
began playing the piano at the age of five, but did not begin formal
training until the age of eight. He started playing professionally
during his early teens. He attended Roosevelt College in Chicago as
a music major.
In 1947 Junior left Roosevelt College to join Gene Ammons' band and
began his recording career with Gene. He joined Lester Young in 1949
for almost two years, and rejoined Ammons several months in 1951
before being drafted into the U. S. Army. He served in the 36th Army
Band at Fort Knox, Kentucky along with Julian "Cannonball" Adderley.
After his discharge from the Army in 1953, Junior became part of the
house rhythm section at the Bee Hive Jazz Club in Chicago for a
year, and accompanied jazz greats such as Charlie Parker, Coleman
Hawkins, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Sonny Stitt, and many others.
In 1954 Junior joined and toured with Dinah Washington. Among the
numerous recordings he made with her, there are two that really
stand out in his memory: "DINAH JAMS" and "JAM SESSION". They are
two live albums featuring Clifford Brown, Max Roach, Clark Terry,
Maynard Ferguson, Herb Geller, Harold Land, Keter Betts, George
Morrow, Richie Powell and Junior.
In 1956 Junior reunited with Cannonball Adderley, becoming a member
of Cannonball's first organized working band. The band did a series
of recordings on Mercury Records. Junior joined Dizzy Gillespie's
band in 1958, a period Junior considers one of the highlights of his
career. Besides the joy and fun of playing with Dizzy, he remembers
this period as a great learning experience in musicianship,
showmanship, and just about everything related to the business of
music.
In 1961 Junior decided to form his own trio, following the release
of his first recording as a leader. ("JUNIOR", Verve Records ) In
between gigs with his trio he played and recorded with the Eddie
"Lockjaw" Davis/Johnny Griffin Quintet. With his trio he also
accompanied singer Joe Williams in l963/64
Beginning in the late seventies, Junior started performing with
bassist, Marty Rivera. Junior and Marty spent over 20 years as a duo
performing both nationally and internationally. When they were at
home in New York, Junior and Marty were often found performing at
the Village Gate and Zinno's.
In 1988 Junior became a member of the faculty of the JAZZ AND
CONTEMPORARY MUSIC PROGRAM at the New School University in New York
City. He teaches classes in Blues, Blues Ensembles, and private
individual lessons and instruction on piano and helping students in
the development of their career in playing jazz.
During the 1990's Junior has been part of a very elite group called
"100 GOLD FINGERS". This is a group which tours Japan every other
year, consisting of ten outstanding jazz pianists. On various tours
the group has included people such as Hank Jones, John Lewis, Tommy
Flanagan, Kenny Barron, Ray Bryant, Roger Kellaway, Gene Harris,
Marion McPartland, Barry Harris,Toshiko Akioshi, Lynn Arriale, Cyrus
Chestnut, Benny Green, Duke Jordan, Jo Anne Brackeen, Monty
Alexander, Dave McKenna, Renee Rosnes, Mulgrew Miller, Harold
Maybern as well as Junior and a the rhythm section consisting of
bassist Bob Cranshaw and either Alan Dawson or Grady Tate on drums.
On November 21, 1997, at Tampa Florida, Junior was inducted into THE
INTERNATIONAL JAZZ HALL OF FAME, an honor Junior is extremely proud
of, being in the elite company of many of his heroes, both past and
present.
Junior Mance made his solo piano debut at Lincoln Center at the
Kaplan Penthouse on October 5th - 7th of 2000.
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