Jimmy Bertrand

An intriguing break in the sometimes fenced-off pastures of jazz and blues is the career of percussionist Jimmy Bertrand. He was associated with the Chicago scene before the '20s started roaring, and as an instructor of drums and keyboard percussion helped to focus several pupils who became major figures in jazz, including both Lionel Hampton and Big Sid Catlett. Like many musicians on the historic Chicago scene, he gigged and recorded in both blues and jazz settings. Bertrand can be heard on discs with artists from Louis Armstrong to Blind Blake -- and that's just the first few steps on his discographical staircase.



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