Drummer Jimmy Wormworth

[John Tapscott]

Recently revisiting this Sharp Nine date. It's a good one. Drummer Jimmy Wormworth (who is really unknown to me) swings his tail off and really brings the date alive. Perfect balance IMO of swing, fire, and finesse.

Wondered where this guy came from and why I hadn't heard more of him. Did some searching and came across this.

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/jimmywormworth

The videos at the bottom of the John Marshall Quintet are really good. Very fine sound, and capture Jimmy's playing really well. (Also a must for Grant Stewart fans).

This cat can play!

Edited March 15, 2012 by John Tapscott

[mikeweil]

Jimmy Wormworth! He was already swingin' and kickin' in 1959 when he was backing Lambert, Hendricks & Ross as a member of the Ike Isaacs Trio ... what a long standing career.

[Chuck Nessa]

He also recorded with Hod O'Brien and Leon Thomas. Figure that connection out.

[AllenLowe]

he was Al Haig's prime drummer back in the '70s - nice guy, too.

[Chuck Nessa]

Somehow I knew that post was coming.

[AllenLowe]

not sure what that means.

[Chuck Nessa]

I knew he had worked with Haig and knew you'd mention it. Easy.

[AllenLowe]

gotcha - he and Frank Gant used to work with Haig - Gant was good but too loud, I thought. Jimmy was better for a pianist. His son, btw, is also a drummer,

Edited March 15, 2012 by AllenLowe

[marcello]

I met him long ago when he was with Jimmy Rowles (well, almost). Wormworth was to play with Rowles for the first time (with Michael Moore on bass), but Rowles was so inebriated the first night (falling off the stool, etc.) that they were fired before the first night ended. A real shame.

The next day in Michael's room, where we all got together with friends, was like a wake.

His daughter Tracey is a electric bassist who has played with Wayne Shorter.

[Peter Friedman]

I met him long ago when he was with Jimmy Rowles (well, almost). Wormworth was to play with Rowles for the first time (with Michael Moore on bass), but Rowles was so inebriated the first night (falling off the stool, etc.) that they were fired before the first night ended. A real shame.

The next day in Michael's room, where we all got together with friends, was like a wake.

His daughter Tracey is a electric bassist who has played with Wayne Shorter.

Marcello, was that at the Roundtowner in Rochester? If so, I was there that evening too. After Rowles was fired, Barry Keiner took over

the piano for the rest of the evening.

[marcello]

Yes, Peter,I came with Barry and probably said hi to you with him!

I also remember that the next day Jimmy Wormworth wanted to see his daughter who going to school in Brockport ( about 20 miles away), but he wouldn't get in Vinnie Ruggiero's car!