T-Bone Walker

T-Bone Walker

Source: Duduki

T-Bone Walker (Aaron Thibeaux Walker) was among the first musicians to employ the electric guitar. Others were Alvino Rey, Charlie Christian and George Barnes. Born in Linden, Texas, on 28 May 1910, Walker began his recording career in 1929 for Columbia with his compositions, 'Trinity River Blues' and 'Wichita Falls Blues' (14506-D). Though largely a blues artist he recorded with a dose of jazz musicians as well and, like blues guitarist, Muddy Waters, would come to considerable prestige in the development of rock and roll via rhythm and blues.

'Trinity Blues'   T-Bone Walker

Recorded 5 Dec 1929   Issued on 31 Mar 1930 per Columbia 14506-D

Piano: Douglas Farnell   Composition: Walker

'T-Bone Blues'   T-Bone Walker

Recorded June 1940   Composition: Walker / Les Hite

'I Got a Break Baby'   T-Bone Walker

Recorded 20 July 1942 in Hollywood   Issued on Capitol 10033 A in Nov 1945

Piano: Freddiie Slack   Bass: Jud De Naut   Drums: Dave Coleman

Composition: Walker

'Mean Old World'   T-Bone Walker

Recorded 20 July 1942 in Hollywood   Issued on Capitol 10033 B in Nov 1945

Piano: Freddiie Slack   Bass: Jud De Naut   Drums: Dave Coleman

Composition: Walker

'She's Going to Ruin Me'   T-Bone Walker

Recorded 19 Dec 1945 in Chicago   Issued on Old Swing-Master 11 in March 1949

Trumpet: Melvin Moore / Nick Cooper   Alto sax: Nathan Joseph / Frank Derrick

Tenor sax: Moses Gant    Bass: Micky Simms    Drums: Red Saunders

Composition: Walker

'Bobby Sox Blues'   T-Bone Walker w the Jack McVea All Stars

Recorded 20 Sep 1946 in Los Angeles   Issued on Black & White 110 in Jan 1947

Composition: Dootsie Williams

'Don't Leave Me Baby'   T-Bone Walker w the Jack McVea All Stars

Recorded 30 Sep 1946 in Los Angeles   Issued on Black & White 111 in 1946

Composition: Walker / Lou Baxter

'Call It Stormy Monday'   T-Bone Walker

Recorded 13 Sep 1947 in Hollywood   Issued on Black&White 122 in 1947

Composition: Walker

'Woman, You Must Be Crazy' w 'Goin' to Chicago Blues'   T-Bone Walker

Jazz at the Philharmonic live for BBC TV in the UK on 30 Nov 1966

'Woman, You Must Be Crazy' written by Aaron Walker / T-Bone Walker>

'Goin' to Chicago Blues' written by Count Basie / Jimmy Rushing

Walker was one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century in any capacity, among the most highly regarded guitarists with whom to work until his first stroke in 1974. He would suffer a second stroke in 1975, after which bronchial pneumonia killed him on 16 March 1975. Among the numerous with or for whom Walker had performed during his career were Les Hite, Freddie Slack, Marl Young, Ray Charles, Jim Wynn, Helen Humes, Walter Bishop Jr, Jack McVea, Al Killian, Dave Bartholomew, TJ Fowler, Memphis Slim, Jimmy Witherspoon, Norman Granz, Oscar Peterson, Big Joe Turner and Jay McShann.