From: "Dik de Heer" Date: Fri Sep 20, 2002 1:16 am Subject: Born To Be With You : Eddie Bo EDDIE BO Born Edwin Joseph Bocage, 20 September 1930, New Orleans, Louisiana Singer / pianist / producer. Eddie Bo came from a family that was legendary in the traditional New Orleans jazz community; cousins Peter, Henry and Charles had all made important contributions playing with the finest jazz orchestras prior to World War II. After spending time abroad in the Army, Eddie returned to New Orleans to study composition and arranging at the Grundwald School of Music. It was here that he developed a unique style of piano playing and arranging that incorporated complex be-bop voicings, influenced by his mother (a self-taught pianist like Professor Longhair), Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson. Of course, Professor Longhair was a major influence on Bo as well. Ultimately the combi- nation of styles that became Eddie Bo's trademark were a fusion of New Orleans rhythm and blues, jazz and funk. In a career that spans over 45 years, Eddie has made more 45's than any artist in N.O. other than Fats Domino and it is doubtful if any artist anywhere has had his records released on as many labels as he has. Unlike many of his contemporaries from the fifties, he has managed to keep abreast of the continual changes in popular music trends over the years, and as a result he has recorded in too many styles to mention. Eddie Bo's records have been uneven. His best early records were "I'm Wise" for Apollo (made famous by Little Richard under the name "Slippin' and Slidin'") and the pounding rocker "Oh Oh" with Paul Gayten for Chess. Some of his most rewarding work was done for the Ric label between 1959 and 1962. Best of all was "Check Mr. Popeye", which was leased to Swan Records of Philadelphia for national distribution. His only chart entry was "Hook and Sling, Part 1" (# 13 R&B) in 1969, for the Scram label. He has produced records for Irma Thomas, Robert Parker, Art Neville, Chris Kenner, Al "Carnival Time" Johnson and Johnny Adams. Apart from "Slippin' and Slidin'", his most successful composition was "My Dearest Darling", a hit for Etta James in 1960. He has been a strict New Orleans man, content to live and work in the Crescent City, where he has always had a good reputation. As a result of a fire, Eddie Bo lost his home / business and all his posessions on March 17, 1999. More info: http://www.offbeat.com/ob9811/eddiebo.html Discography by Tapio: http://www.parlorcity.com/secop/bodisc.html CD's : Check Mr. Popeye (Rounder) New Orleans Solo Piano (Night Train International)