Nat Pierce, Piano, 1925, Somerville, MA
Through most of his career, Nat was known more for his arranging than his piano work. He started working professionally in the Boston area during the early '40s. His early gigs were with Shorty Sherock and Larry Clinton. He joined Woody Herman's band in the early '50s as pianist, arranger and, at times, road manager. During the same period he directed his own band, and did arranging for Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Quincy Jones, and others. In the mid '50s Pierce did a considerable amount of writing for television. Nat settled in Los Angeles in the early '70s and continued as an arranger for Anita O'Day, Carmen McRae, Earl Hines, and others. He toured with Louis Bellson and Woody Herman into the 1980s. Around this period, Nat and Frank Capp formed a band known as Capp-Pierce Juggernaut that enjoyed considerable success. Following this venture, Nat toured with and led the Basie band during Count's illness. During the '70s and '80s he was a regular sideman for the Concord label,and made several recordings with Scott Hamilton. Pierce is a talented swing pianist who had his own swinging style, but at times managed to sound much like Basie. His ability to push a rhythm section is particulaly evident on the recordings he cut while with Concord.
Cal Tjader, Vibraphonist, 1925, St Louis, Mo
Cal studied music at San Francisco State University before joining Dave Brubeck in1949 as a drummer. He next worked with Alvino Rey and then led his own group into the mid '50s when he joined George Shearing's popular and successful quintet, playing both vibraphone and percussion. While with Shearing, Cal also played bongo drums. Around this time Cal began to devote considerable time to Latin music. After he left Shearing in 1954, Cal formed his own quintet, which played a blend of Latin and Afro-Cuban music and jazz. His sidemen at this time were were Willy Bobo and Mongo Santamaria. By the end of the decade Tjader had achieved great popularity with his unique style of jazz. His recordings range from almost pure Salsa (with the vibraphonist Tito Puente and the pianist Eddie Palmieri) to jam sessions. Cal Tjader died in 1982.
