Bross Townsend

Bross Elvie Townsend Jr. ( born October 18, 1933, Princeton (Kentucky ), † 12 May 2003 in New York City ) was an American blues and jazz pianist.

Townsend's father was a pianist who left his son with seven years of playing the piano. After studying at the Cleveland Institute of Music, he accompanied local singers such as Jimmy Scott and Wynonie Harris; from 1953 he worked as a freelance musician, including with Gene Ammons, John Coltrane, Memphis Slim and Jimmy Reed. As a soloist he has toured several times through Europe. From 1959 until his death in 2003, Townsend worked in New York City, including with Warren Smith ( from 1973 workshop in Composer's Ensemble ), Carrie Smith, Bubba Brooks, Woody Herman, Diana Ross, Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre, Arvell Shaw, Bob Cunningham and Bernard Purdie; He also came on as a soloist. Townsend went blind mid-1990s, but continued his career. His only album under his own name was I Love Jump, released by Claves Records 1995.