Ten MORE Underrated Jazz Musicians Part Two

4. Leo Wright (1933-1991)

Anyone who heard this fine musician live or on record would have been impressed by his distinctive sound on both alto sax and flute. Plus his incredible technique. Just listen to his work on Dizzy Gillespie’s recording of Gillespiana, one of the greatest albums of all time in my opinion. In 1963 he re-located to Europe being based in Berlin and appearing at various Jazz Clubs in France, Germany, and Sweden etc. He was also to be seen playing in the all-star Berlin Dream Band which during the Berlin Jazz Festival backed  Stan Kenton, Gil Evans and many more. He also was involved along with fellow altoist Herb Geller in the running of a Jazz Club on Bundesalle, the Jazz Gallery. He later moved to Vienna where he died from heart failure.

5. Pony Poindexter (1926-1988)

Born in New Orleans, he played gigs around the San Francisco Bay area with various small groups and then things came to a halt when he was drafted. He played alto sax in Army bands mainly in Italy and when the war ended he spent  a short time in New York listening to Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie and being influenced by the early sounds of be-bop. He later spent time with the Lionel Hampton Big Band before moving to Europe for a 17 year stay which included 8 years in Spain. He wrote a very revealing biography in 1985 entitled The Pony Express-Memoirs of a Jazz Musician which gives an insight into the ups and downs of the jazz life.

6. Carmel Jones   (1936-1996)

This fine trumpeter made a big impression on the jazz scene when at the age of 24 he recorded for producer Richard Bock the brilliant album The Remarkable Carmel Jones on the Pacific Jazz label. Born in Kansas City, after Army service he gigged around the Los Angeles area, made a few more LPs for Pacific Jazz and in 1965 decided to try his luck in Germany where he joined the Berlin Dream Band and a number of radio bands throughout Europe. He also played a few dates at Manchester’s Club 43 during this period and I attended one of these and he played some fiery solos backed by the house trio. Jones should played a gig at the Royal Exchange Theatre with Johnny Griffin but for reasons unknown, his place was taken by Jimmy Deuchar. Jones eventually returned to Kansas City, did some teaching, played some local jazz spots and died age 62.        

Mike Farmer