Alton Purnell

Alton Purnell (April 16, 1911 – January 14, 1987) was an American jazz pianist. He was a longtime performer in Dixieland jazz.

Early life

Purnell was born in New Orleans on April 16, 1911.[1] His brother, Theodore, became a reed player.[1]

Later life and career

Purnell sang before playing piano professionally, beginning to do so locally in New Orleans in 1928.[2] He played in the 1930s with Isaiah Morgan, Alphonse Picou, Big Eye Louis Nelson, Sidney Desvigne, and Cousin Joe, and with Bunk Johnson in the middle of the 1940s.[2] Purnell joined George Lewis's band after Johnson's broke up in 1946, and remained there well into the 1950s, including for international tours.[2]

In 1957 Purnell relocated to Los Angeles.[2] There he worked with Teddy Buckner, Young Men from New Orleans, Joe Darensbourg, Kid Ory, Barney Bigard, and Ben Pollack.[2] He also recorded extensively as a leader, including for Warner Bros. Records, GHB, and Alligator Jazz.[2] He toured internationally as a guest soloist from 1964.[1] Purnell died in Inglewood, California on January 14, 1987.[2]

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References
  1. Joly, Marcel (2003), Purnell, Alton, Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press, retrieved January 21, 2020
  2. Yanow, Scott "Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
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