Big Joe Turner

Known variously as The Boss of the Blues, and Big Joe Turner (1911-1985) first discovered his love of music through involvement in the church. His career thus stretched from the bar rooms of Kansas City in the 1930s (at the age of 12 when he performed with a penciled moustache and his father's hat), on to the European jazz festivals of the 1980s. He recorded a number of hits including the blues standards, "Chains of Love" and "Sweet Sixteen" before hitting it big with "Shake, Rattle and Roll", which not only transformed his career but also transformed popular music. After a number of hits in this vein, Turner left popular music behind and returned to his roots as a singer with small jazz combos, recording numerous classic albums in that style in the 1960s and 1970s.

Big Joe Turner is captured here singing his memorable title 'Cherry Red' in 1965, with fine support from Buck Clayton trumpet, Vic Dickenson trombone and Johnny Parker on piano.

Cherry Red