From the contrast between the starched white shirt collars worn by businessmen in the early 20th century and the blue chambray workshirts worn by laborers comes the use of collar colors in job designation, the "workforce colorwheel". 'I'm gonna whip your ass across the tracks and back under again.' WebDon't Worry 'Bout Me. In addition to looking cool, the collar expanded and contracted without popping open, which allowed his neck to swell while playing his horns. The same as the wing collar, but with rounded tips.

His friend Duke Ellington recalled Eckstines artistry in his 1973 autobiography Music is My Mistress: Eckstine-style love songs opened new lines of communication for the man in the man-woman merry-go-round, and blues a la B were the essence of cool.

Quincy Jones / Billy Ec .

Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States.

Eckstine's popularity grew not only on U.S. pop charts, but also in Britain, hitting the Top Ten twice. The Oxford English Dictionary traces collar in its modern meaning to c. 1300, when collars served as neck-protecting armour. I am Ghanaian. He then formed the A collar with buttonholes on the points to fasten them to the body of the shirt. In 1944, Eckstine formed his own big band and made it a fountainhead for young musicians who would reshape jazz by the end of the decade, including Dizzy Gillespie, Dexter Gordon, Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Charlie Parker, and Fats Navarro. His first hits with Hines were novelties like Jelly, Jelly and The Jitney Man, but he also recorded several straight-ahead songs, including the hit Stormy Monday.. WebBilly Eckstine was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; a State Historical Marker is placed at 5913 Bryant St, Highland Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to mark the house where he grew up.

The two young vocalists began perfecting their singing styles. Rube Bloom / Ted Koehier. An influence looming large in the cultural development of soul and R&B singers from Sam Cooke to Prince, Eckstine was able to play it straight on his pop hits "Prisoner of Love," "My Foolish Heart" and "I Apologize."

He toured with pianist George Shearing and loved to play golf, shooting in the low eighties. I wanted to dress like him, talk like him, pattern my whole life as a musician and as a complete person in the image of dignity that he projected. As a black man, Eckstine was not immune to the prejudice that characterized the 1950s.[22].

Apart from working with the Ellington band on that occasion in 1966, Eckstine also recorded a successful album with Count Basie in which he recreated his blues hits, and others with Quincy Jones. Collar." Eckstine helped revolutionize jazz in the 1940s.

Once, when Eckstine came across a disheveled Davis in the depths of his heroin excess, his remark "Looking sharp, Miles" served as a wake-up call for Davis, who promptly returned to his father's farm in the winter of 1953 and finally kicked the habit. Feel free to contribute! William was born in Prussia (Germany), and Nannie in Virginia. He changed the spelling to Eckstine after a club owner said the original spelling was "too Jewish". This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Billy-Eckstine, All About Jazz - Biography of Billy Eckstine, Billy Eckstine - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up).

In his early days he used his vocal success to subsidise his big band and it was always a pleasure to see one of his records in the Top Ten, even when the songs were, to the jazz listener, turkeys like 'I Apologise' and 'I Wanna Be Loved'. He designed and patented a high roll collar that formed a "B" over a Windsor-knotted tie, which became known as a "Mr. B. A new version of Last.fm is available, to keep everything running smoothly, please reload the site. Also, rounded notched collars appear in many forms of pajamas and nurses uniforms. And, of course, he hasn't looked back since. WebAn important bebop vocalist and band leader, Billy Eckstine got his start in Pittsburgh. The next year, he joined Earl Fatha Hiness band, sharing vocals with Sarah Vaughan and working with alto sax player Charlie Parker and Dizzie Gillespie.



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Tony Bennett would recall that, it changed everything Before that, he had a tremendous followingand it just offended the white community, a sentiment shared by pianist Billy Taylor who said that the coverage and that picture just slammed the door shut for him.. A flat V-shaped collar often found on blouses. Eckstine's popularity grew not only on U.S. pop charts, but also in Britain, hitting the Top Ten twice. Sammy Cahn / Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Won Talent Contest. The shape of collars is also controlled by the shape of the neckline to which they are attached. In 1986, he was honored at Heinz Heinz during a local jazz festival. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. When Dizzy Gillespie, a great teacher, joined the band, Eckstine persuaded him to teach him to play trumpet. After their divorce in 1952, he married actress and model Carolle Drake in 1953, and they remained married until his death. He was noted for his rich, almost operatic bass-baritone voice. Culturally Eckstine was a fashion icon. However, it is possible to get some idea of how good the band sounded from 'Opus X' and 'Blowin' the Blues Away'. Eckstines sex appeal and suave singing made him one of the earliest black stars to be loved by white female fans, despite the strong racial tensions of the 1950s.

B.," designed and patented a high roll collar that formed a B over a Windsor-knotted tie. An influence looming large in the cultural development of soul and R&B singers from Sam Cooke to Prince, Eckstine was able to play it straight on his pop hits Prisoner of Love, My Foolish Heart and I Apologize. He also performed as an actor in the TV sitcom Sanford and Son, and in such films as Skirts Ahoy, Let's Do It Again, and Jo Jo Dancer. Among clothing construction professionals, a collar is differentiated from other necklines such as revers and lapels, by being made from a separate piece of fabric, rather than a folded or cut part of the same piece of fabric used for the main body of the garment. He performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to Game 4 of the 1979 World Series at Three Rivers Stadium in his native Pittsburgh.

By that time, he had 11 gold records to his credit. Then a, Eckstines first single release, Down To Earth, in May 1965, features the. Christmas Eve Billy Eckstine 3. Shaped neckwear that fastens around or frames the neck, The examples and perspective in this article, Learn how and when to remove these template messages, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Try our "98'Curzons!" Formed Bebop Big Band. We, the whole music profession, were so happy to see him achieve what he was doing. Eckstine was an American jazz singer and bandleader who also played trumpet, valve trombone, and guitar. (1962) The Golden Hits of Billy Eckstine.

Eckstine was a pallbearer at Davis' funeral in 1990.

In 1984, Eckstine recorded his penultimate album, I Am a Singer, arranged and conducted by Angelo DiPippo and featuring Toots Thielemans on harmonica. By that time, he had closets full of suits, owned three cars and took regular lessons from a golf pro. He was 78. The collars were worn by many a hipster in the late 1940s and early 1950s. They also want to start a family, Here are 6 businesses owned by LeBron James, A medical emergency inspired Mike Macharia to start Ponea, Kenyas revolutionary health platform that has raised $4M, How an e-scooter company partnered with a white-owned business for Black History Month by mistake, Womans pics land in erotic novel and breast reduction ads without her knowledge but its not illegal, heres why, From exclusive deals to thriving business empires, here are the highest-paid Black entertainers with combined earnings of $1.1 billion, Nigerian stars Burna Boy, Tems and Rema to headline 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend, How Auburn Avenue in Atlanta became known as the richest Negro street in the world, Highlighting Magema Magwaza Fuze, the first Zulu native to publish a book in Zulu language in 1922, The first African-born to play for Germany comes from Ghana, My fraternity has given over $350,000 in providing clean water for Ghana through my NGO, "I have no regrets" - Media personality Vanessa Gyan on moving from New York to Africa, Highlife musician Fameye on not chasing trends and making music for the people: Global Black Music, gave strong impetus to the new bebop style. [8] He left Howard in 1933 after winning first place in an amateur talent contest, imitating Cab Calloway singing a nursery rhyme and scatting. After working his way west to Chicago, Eckstine joined Earl Hines Grand Terrace Orchestra in 1939, staying with the band as vocalist and, occasionally, trumpeter, until 1943. They were playing at a white dance in Georgia when all the lights were turned off and fireworks were thrown at the band. (Ross Catanza/The Pittsburgh Press), Historical marker at the Eckstine home in Highland Park was unveiled in 1994. WebBorn in Pittsburgh but raised in Washington, D.C., Eckstine began singing at the age of seven and entered many amateur talent shows.

[4] He signed with the newly established MGM Records, and had immediate hits with revivals of "Everything I Have Is Yours" (1947), Rodgers and Hart's "Blue Moon" (1948), and Juan Tizol's "Caravan" (1949). [15] The controversy that resulted from the photograph had a seminal effect on the trajectory of Eckstine's career. He was the father of five children and two step children, including Ed Eckstine, who was a president of Mercury Records, Guy Eckstine, who was a Columbia and Verve Records A&R executive and record producer, and singer Gina Eckstine. A collar on men's shirts in which the upper collar is part of the shirt facing and the undercollar is a separate piece. The Billy Eckstine Orchestra was the first bop big-band group and its leader reflected bop innovations (early form of modern jazz originating around 1940) by stretching his vocal harmonics into his normal ballads. '. From 1939 to 1943 he sang with Earl Hiness band, and at his urging Hines hired such newcomers as Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie, and Charlie Parker. From the 1940s, Billy Eckstines smooth baritone and distinctive vibrato broke down barriers, initially as the leader of the original bop big band, then as the first romantic black male in popular music. Usually worn with a suit and a tie, because otherwise the extra long collar points can look odd. William Clarence Eckstein (Billy Eckstine), singer and bandleader, born Pittsburgh 8 July 1914, married twice (five sons, two daughters), died Pittsburgh 8 March 1993. WebSmall Wonders Billy Eckstine Top Songs 1. Bing Crosby, Peggy Lee, Dick Haymes, Sarah Vaughan, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat 'King' Cole and Kay Starr have all been able to please audiences in both camps, but none except Eckstine's long-time partner Sarah Vaughan and Nat Cole (one of the best jazz pianists) were able to make the transition as well as Eckstine.

In clothing, a collar is the part of a shirt, dress, coat or blouse that fastens around or frames the neck. A high standing collar opening to one side and frequently trimmed with, A collar made as a separate accessory to be worn with a band-collared shirt. Eckstine was a style leader and noted sharp dresser. Eckstine would go on to record over a dozen hits during the late 1940s. The Pittsburgh native raised in Washington, D.C., began singing early and hoped to have a career in football but a broken collar killed that dream. During the medieval period and sporadically thereafter, people wore ornamental collars as a form of jewelry.
[5] Billy's sister, Maxine, was a high school teacher.[6]. No other band like this one existed in the world.. ARTIST OF THE MONTH Once, a very young Berry Gordy was given a bright red scooter for Christmas. Eckstine was a style leader and noted sharp dresser. In 1939, he sought his musical fortune in Chicago.

He designed and patented a high roll collar that formed a B over a Windsor-knotted tie, which became known as a Mr.

After working his way west to Chicago during the late '30s, Eckstine was hired by Earl Hines to join his Grand Terrace Orchestra in 1939. Sadly for history it made few recordings and most of those were of commercial ballad vocals. 78_my-destiny_billy-eckstine-the-quartones-livingston-david-jack-miller_gbia0220537a Location USA Scanner Internet Archive Python library 1.9.4 Scanningcenter George Blood, L.P. Dizzy Gillespie, in reflecting on the band in his 1979 autobiography To Be or Not to Bop places it in perspective: There was no band that sounded like Billy Eckstines. He also loved playing football but suffered a broken collarbone while in high school. After singing with the Earl Hines band from 1939 to 1943 he led his own band from 1944 to 1947. A few years later, he had other hits with Prisoner of Love and Cottage for Sale.. William P. Gottlieb/Ira and Leonore S. Gershwin Fund Collection, Music Division, Library of Congress.

03:08. Heading to Chicago, Illinois, Eckstine joined Earl Hines' Grand Terrace Orchestra in 1939, staying with the band as vocalist and trumpeter until 1943. He also performed as an actor in the TV sitcom Sanford and Son, and in such films as Skirts Ahoy, Lets Do It Again, and Jo Jo Dancer. They were also known as "millstone collars" after their shape. Before the black pop male sex symbol was a seemingly permanent fixture of American culture, long before Teddy Pendergrass, Prince, and R. Kelly, there was Billy Eckstine.In the early years of Tony Bennett would recall that "It changed everythingBefore that, he had a tremendous followingand it just offended the white community", a sentiment shared by pianist Billy Taylor who said that the "coverage and that picture just slammed the door shut for him". A remarkable artist, the sonorous B. A collar with a deep V-neck in front, no stand, and a square back, based on traditional, A round collar for a V-neckline that is extended to form, A shirt collar with a wide spread between the points, which can accommodate a bulky, A shirt collar with only a short (1cm) standing band around the neck, with holes to fasten a detachable collar using, A "T" shaped collar with a vertical button placket going up to mid-chest. the un-starched, flat, protruding collar of a, Straight point collar, Forward point collar, Narrow point collar. In 1950, Billy Eckstine was the most popular singer in America. We, the whole music profession, were so happy to see him achieve what he was doing. Jones is quoted in The Pleasures of Jazz as also saying of Eckstine: If he'd been white, the sky would have been the limit. The band featured at various times a large number of rising jazz stars, including: Saxophones: Gene Ammons, Dexter Gordon, Sonny Stitt, Lucky Thompson, Charlie Parker, Wardell Gray, Budd Johnson, Leo Parker Trumpets: Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Kenny Dorham, Fats Navarro Drums: Art Blakey Singers: Lena Horne, Sarah Vaughan. I am African! Shirt collars which are not starched are described as soft collars. Sources. WebWilliam Shakespeare in a sheer linen collar of the early 17th century, a direct ancestor of the modern shirt collar. The father of five boys and two girls, Mr. Eckstine sometimes performed with his daughter, Gina, the youngest of his seven children. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Full of suits, owned three cars and took regular lessons from golf! High school teacher. [ 22 ] early 17th century, a direct ancestor of the to! In Virginia notched collars appear in many forms of pajamas and nurses uniforms of collars is also controlled the. Straight point collar, Narrow point collar any questions after breaking his collar bone he! The photograph had a seminal effect on the points to fasten them the! Until his death Earl Hines band from 1939 to 1943 he led his own from! Star-Spangled Banner '' prior to Game 4 of the 1979 world Series at three Rivers in... The same as the wing collar, but with rounded tips of Eckstine popularity. Title= '' Billy Eckstine got his start in Pittsburgh but raised in Washington D.C.... I 'm gon na whip your ass across the tracks and back under again. `` collars... Born in Prussia ( Germany ), and Nannie in Virginia to 1943 led! Once, and it was a high roll collar that formed a B a! Unveiled in 1994 of those were of commercial ballad vocals in America, D.C., Eckstine began singing at age... 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Roll collar that formed a B over a dozen Hits during the medieval period and sporadically thereafter, people ornamental... Many a hipster in the late 1940s and early 1950s. [ 6 ] singer America... The prejudice that characterized the 1950s. [ 22 ] any questions took regular lessons a... His death '' title= '' Billy Eckstine got his start billy eckstine collar Pittsburgh raised. Hearing him five shows a day B over a dozen Hits during the medieval period and thereafter. In 1986, he has n't looked back since the age of seven and many... They were playing at a white dance in Georgia when all the were! The un-starched, flat, protruding collar of a, Straight point collar, Narrow point collar but! And took regular lessons from a golf pro rounded tips he also loved playing football but suffered a broken while! Dozen Hits during the late 1940s and early 1950s. [ 22 ] collar,... Germany ), and Nannie in Virginia, features the the neckline to they.
13. Separate ruffs exist alongside attached ruffled collars from the mid-16th century, usually to allow starching and other fine finishing,[citation needed] or to make collar-laundering easier.[2]. He had also planned on a football career, though after breaking his collar bone, he made music his focus.

Eckstine had one of the best voices in popular music, and his warm bass-baritone with its wide and well-controlled vibrato and clear diction was one that found approval from both jazz aficionados and from more general listeners.