Jimmy Ponder guitar 1946 Pittsburgh PA
Jimmy Ponder, self taught, started playing guitar and singing while still in jr. high school, but really got serious after hearing Wes Montgomery. His first real job was with Sam Pearson, in Pittsburg, which lasted for two years. In 1966 Jimmy began an association with Charles Eaeland that lasted into the late 1970s. He worked in a group led by Joe Thomas from 1969 until 1972. Jimmy and drummer Grassella Oliphant co-led a band called Final Edition in about 1975. After this he played and recorded with various musicians, but most notably, Stanley Turrentine. Ponder's playing combines aggressive rhythm-and-blues figurations with swift bop lines. Jimmy has a keen ear for chromatics, which gives his performances great feelings of emotion. Over the years Ponder has played with some of the most prominent people in jazz. People like Lou Donaldson, Donald Byrd, Lonnie Smith, and Jack McDuff.
Mel Lewis drums 1929 Buffalo NY
Mel Lewis comes from a musical family. His father was a prominent drummer in the Buffalo area for many years. In 1948 Mel played in Boyd Reaburn's dance band and then spent 1949-50 with Alvino Rey. He next worked in the big bands of Ray Anthony and Tex Beneke where he remained for three years. In 1954 Mel went to work for Stan Kenton, which, apart from several periods with Frank Rosolino's quintet and Hampton Hawes's trio, lasted until he decided to leave the road and settle in Los Angeles in 1975 . There, he and Bill Holman led a quintet and worked frequently in the movie studios. During the 60s he also frequently traveled to N.Y. where he played with The Gerry Mulligan Concert Band. In 1961 Lewis toured Europe with the Dizzy Gillespie band, and the Soviet Union with Benny Goodman. After settling in New York, Mel and Thad Jones formed their now-famous big band. The band was a hugh success, performing every Monday night at the VillageVanguard and recording extensively. On Jones's departure in 1979, Mel became the sole leader. Later, Bob Brookmeyer became the composer, arranger, and music director, the job that Jones previously had held. . Mel Lewis was widely regarded as one of the greatest drummers in jazz. While Mel and Thad are no longer with us, the big band still performes weekly at the Village Vanguard, records and occasionally tours in this country and abroad.
