Big Jay McNeely

Cecil James ( Big Jay ) McNeely ( born April 29, 1927 in Los Angeles, California) is an American rhythm & blues tenor saxophonist.

He was involved in the development of the effusive, extroverted saxophone style " Honkin ' and from 1948 also in the emergence of rock' n 'roll. His first recordings were made in 1948 for the Johnny Otis Orchestra, a total of six singles that have been dubbed "Johnny Otis featuring Jay McNeely ". The first single under his own name was taken on November 29, 1948 for Savoy Records, produced by Ralph Bass. Here his biggest hit parade success was recorded with The Deacon's Hop, which won the first rank of the Rhythm & Blues charts.

Frequent changes of the record companies have taken him in October 1954, also to Federal Records where Ralph Bass was now employed as a label boss and producer. It was here eight singles, but all of them remained largely unnoticed. When he with great routine signed another recording contract in June 1959 the tiny label Swingin ' Records, his situation changed. His own composition, There Is Something On Your Mind (vocals by Little Sonny Warner ) penetrated up to fifth of the Rhythm & Blues charts and became his biggest sales success. The song was subsequently was covered by 14 artists. After a total of six singles McNeely also left turn this label. Big Jay McNeely is still on tour and repeatedly doing his classic routine stage to play his tenor saxophone lying.

Discography, selection

Savoy Records:

Wild Wig / Benson 's Groove (# 682 ), November 29, 1948
Sunday Dinner / California Hop (# 698 ), November 29, 1948 / December 13, 1948
Man Eater / Cherry Smash (# 713), November 29, 1948 / December 13, 1948
The Deacon's Hop / Artie's Jump ( # 685 ), December 13, 1948
Sunday Dinner / California Hop (# 698 ), November 29, 1948 / December 13, 1948

Exclusive Records:

Tondelayou / Hoppin 'With Hunter (# 108 ), 1949

Aladdin Records:

Jay's Frantic / Deacon's Blowout (# 3050 ), February 1950

Imperial Records:

All That Wine Is Gone / Do not Cry Baby ( # 5115 ), April 1950
Insect Ball (vocals: Mercy Dee Walton ) / Sad Story ( # 5130 ), January 1951
Let's Do It / I'll Never Fall In Love Again (# 5164 ), February 1952
Tall Brown Woman / The Deacon Blows For Ray (# 5169 ), March 1952
Jay Walker / Night Rider (# 5176 ), April 1952
That Old Mule / True Love (# 5186 ), August 1952

Federal Records:

The Goof / Big Jay 's Shuffle (# 12102 ), October 1952
Just Crazy / Penthouse Serenade (# 12111 ), December 1952
Nervous, Man, Nervous / Rock Candy ( # 12141 ), September 1953
Texas Turkey / 3 -D ( # 12151 ), October 1953
Mule Milk / Ice Water (# 12168 ), February 1954
Whipped Cream / Hot Cinders (# 12179 ), April 1954
Hard Tack / Let's Work (# 12186 ), June 1954
Beachcomber / Strip Tease Swing ( # 12191 ), August 1954

Vee -Jay Records:

Big Hay's Hop / Three Blind Mice (# 142), June 1955

Swingin ' Records:

Back.. . Shack. . Track. / There Is Something On Your Mind (Singing: Little Sonny Warner ) (# 714), June 1959
I Got The Message / Psycho Serenade (# 618), October 1959
Minnie / My Darling Dear (# 622 ), 1960
I Love You Darling / Oh What A Fool (# 627 )
Before Midnight / After Midnight (# 629 ), 1961
The Squat / Without Love (# 637 ), 1962

Warner Brothers: