Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

April 29, 1932 in Richmond, IN

Death

:

June 2, 1999 in Los Angeles, CA

 

Andy Simpkins was a renowned American jazz bassist who was born on April 29, 1932, in Richmond, California. He grew up in a musical family, with his father playing the piano and his mother singing in the church choir. Simpkins started playing the piano at a young age, but he soon switched to the bass after being inspired by the music of jazz legends such as Ray Brown and Charles Mingus. Simpkins began his professional career in the 1950s, playing with various jazz bands in the San Francisco Bay Area. He soon gained a reputation as a skilled and versatile bassist, and he was invited to join the legendary jazz pianist Oscar Peterson's trio in 1959. Simpkins played with Peterson for several years, recording numerous albums and touring extensively throughout the United States and Europe. In the 1960s, Simpkins became a sought-after session musician, playing on recordings by a wide range of jazz and pop artists, including Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Diana Ross. He also continued to perform and record with his own groups, including the Andy Simpkins Quintet and the Andy Simpkins Trio. One of Simpkins' most notable performances was at the 1967 Monterey Jazz Festival, where he played with the Thelonious Monk Quartet. The performance was widely praised by critics and helped to cement Simpkins' reputation as one of the top bassists in jazz. Simpkins continued to perform and record throughout the 1970s and 1980s, playing with a variety of jazz luminaries such as Dexter Gordon, Freddie Hubbard, and Joe Henderson. He also released several albums as a bandleader, including "Blues for All" and "Out of the Blue." In addition to his work as a musician, Simpkins was also a respected educator. He taught at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music for many years, and he was known for his dedication to mentoring young musicians. Simpkins received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including a Grammy nomination for his work on Ella Fitzgerald's "The Stockholm Concert, 1966" album. He was also inducted into the California Jazz Hall of Fame in 2007. Sadly, Simpkins passed away on June 2, 1999, at the age of 67. However, his legacy as one of the greatest bassists in jazz history lives on, and his contributions to the genre continue to inspire and influence musicians around the world.

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