Alton Purnell

Alton Purnell will always be best-known as a member of George Lewis' Ragtime Band, providing memorable introductions, basic but swinging solos and solid work in the ensembles. Purnell worked as a singer before becoming a professional pianist in his native New Orleans in 1928 and during the next decade he played with Isaiah Morgan, Alphonse Picou, "Big Eye" Louis Nelson, Sidney Desvigne's big band and <a href="spotify:artist:0nMomy7YPhXSsHep4sNAWv">Cousin Joe</a> among many others. Although obviously not able to be part of a brass band, Purnell played fairly steadily in New Orleans, gigging at local clubs and cabarets. He became part of <a href="spotify:artist:4HGHKAXQPnK1YyzGmIFkrp">Bunk Johnson</a>'s group in 1945 where he met up with <a href="spotify:artist:3gWCyDXBTtfmQX85ygoyPj">George Lewis</a>. After <a href="spotify:artist:4HGHKAXQPnK1YyzGmIFkrp">Bunk</a> broke up the band in 1946, Purnell returned to New Orleans but he soon was an important part of Lewis' group. In the 1950's he toured the world with <a href="spotify:artist:3gWCyDXBTtfmQX85ygoyPj">Lewis</a> and appeared on many recordings including the definitive version of "The Saints." In 1957 Purnell moved to Los Angeles where he played with <a href="spotify:artist:7JwGVCEyy85GX6yMpZA4sO">Teddy Buckner</a>, the ironically titled Young Men From New Orleans, <a href="spotify:artist:51xOLETNnQ1JwyH9oS65r1">Joe Darensbourg</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:7fvNIXXszS6FTHROnZVsK4">Kid Ory</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:28IxhsTl0mELeGN9E5J0Oh">Barney Bigard</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:4hQaUh9IelwGiurvBz4Dwh">Ben Pollack</a>. In the 1960's Purnell often toured as a guest soloist and later in the decade he was a member of the Legends Of Jazz. His last 20 years were primarily spent with pickup bands where his likable and joyous style was always welcome. As a leader, Alton Purnell recorded for Warner Bros. (1958), 77, Dixie, the Danish CSA label, the French Pragmaphone label, Alligator Jazz and GHB. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi