Jazz Musician. As a youth he studied piano and many brass instruments, but dental problems prevented his becoming a professional trumpet player. He worked in Florida and Georgia as a pianist from 1954 to 1959 then he moved to New York where he played most often with Pepper Adams and Donald Byrd. In 1960 he briefly joined the “Jazztet” and in 1961 he toured internationally as Nancy Wilson's accompanist. From 1963 to 1970 he worked as a producer for Blue Note records and formed the “Duke Pearson Band” which enabled him to perform his lyrical swing-oriented compositions. In 1971 he taught at Clark College and the following year toured with Carmen McRae and Joe Williams. In the late 1970s his ability to play was greatly impaired by the onset of multiple sclerosis.
Jazz Musician. As a youth he studied piano and many brass instruments, but dental problems prevented his becoming a professional trumpet player. He worked in Florida and Georgia as a pianist from 1954 to 1959 then he moved to New York where he played most often with Pepper Adams and Donald Byrd. In 1960 he briefly joined the “Jazztet” and in 1961 he toured internationally as Nancy Wilson's accompanist. From 1963 to 1970 he worked as a producer for Blue Note records and formed the “Duke Pearson Band” which enabled him to perform his lyrical swing-oriented compositions. In 1971 he taught at Clark College and the following year toured with Carmen McRae and Joe Williams. In the late 1970s his ability to play was greatly impaired by the onset of multiple sclerosis.
Bio by: Ron Moody
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