John Patton

John Patton (July 12, 1935 in Kansas City, Missouri – March 19, 2002 in Montclair, New Jersey), sometimes nicknamed Big John Patton, was a hard bop and soul jazz organist.

After spending time with the Lloyd Price orchestra, he recorded extensively for Blue Note, and performed or collaborated with Grant Green, Lou Donaldson, and John Zorn. His music evolved to incorporate elements of modal and free jazz, without ever losing the basic, earthy groove that he brought to it from the beginning.

Biography
He wrote some classics and will be remembered fondly both by musicians and fans. His stellar work included "Funky Mama" and Along Came John. During the late 60s John recorded some very adventurous music for the Blue Note label with artists such as Harold Alexander and George Coleman on lps such as Understanding and Accent on the Blues. Of particular note on the early sessions recorded for Blue Note both under his own name and also with George Braith, Don Wilkerson and Lou Donaldson was the superlative empathy he developed with guitarist Grant Green and drummer Ben Dixon - an organ trio whose work in the soul jazz genre remains unsurpassed to this day.

Since the resurgence in interest in music from this period Blue Note has unearthed many sessions that lay in the vaults. LPs such as Blue John which was actually penciled for release by Blue Note and given a cover, but never saw a release at the time. This featured a strong line up with both Grant Green and George Braith (who on the LP is listed as Braithwaite) and recorded a very upbeat session. In addition Blue Note later released two fantastic (and forward looking) albums Boogaloo and Memphis New York Spirit saw the light of day and showed the world more of this exceptional artist's work from this period.

He continued recording until the late 1990s and his LPs (listed below) are well worth finding. In these later years he developed a loyal following in both Japan and Europe - which he toured to great acclaim. He also played live in the US and abroad to great acclaim with several dates having been recorded by collectors. Most recently George Braith issued Eagle Eye Blues on his own label. In 2001, Patton performed "Money Jungle" with Ron Carter and Black Star for the Red Hot Organization's compilation album Red Hot + Indigo, a tribute to Duke Ellington, which raised money for various charities devoted to increasing AIDS awareness and fighting the disease

As leader

 * Along Came John - BN 84130 (5/4/1963)
 * Blue John - BN 84143 (11/7&2/8/1963)
 * The Way I Feel - BN 84174 (19/6/1964)
 * Oh Baby! - BN 84192 (8/3/1965)
 * Let 'em Roll - BN 84239 (11/12/1965)
 * Got a Good Thing Goin' - BN 84229 (29/4/1966)
 * That Certain Feeling - BN 84281 (8/3/1968)
 * Boogaloo - BN 31878 (9/8/1968)
 * Understanding - BN 84306 (25/10/1968)
 * Accent on the Blues - BN 84340 (9/6&15/8/1969)
 * Memphis to New York Spirit - BN 35221 (9/6/69,2/10/70)
 * Soul Connection - NILVA 3406 (7/6/1983)
 * Blue Planet Man - PADDLE WHEEL (J) KICJ168 (12&13/4/1993)
 * Minor Swing - DIW 896 (21/12/1994)
 * This One's for Ja - DIW 919 (26/12/1995)
 * Eagle Eye Blues with George Braith - GEORGE BRAITH RECORDS (2001)''

As sideman

 * Lloyd Price Specialty Tracks
 * Lloyd Price - ABC Tracks
 * Lou Donaldson - The Natural Soul - BN 84108 (9/5/1962)
 * Fred Jackson - ''Fred Jackson session – Inc. Cowbell boogie – BN 21484 (21/6/62)
 * Lou Donaldson - Good Gracious! - BN 84125 (24/1/1963)
 * Jimmy Smith - Rockin' the Boat - BN 84141 (7/2/1963) on tambourine
 * Grant Green - Blues for Lou - BN CDP7 21438 (20/2&7/6/63)
 * Johnny Griffin & Matthew Gee - Soul Groove - ATL 1431 (14/5/1963)
 * Grant Green - Am I Blue - BN 84139 (16/5/1963)
 * Harold Vick - Steppin' Out! - BN 84138 (27/5/1963)
 * Lou Donaldson - A Man with a Horn - BN CDP7 21436 (7/6/63)
 * Lou Donaldson - Signifyin' - CADET 724 (17/7/1963)
 * Don Wilkerson - Shoutin' - BN 84145 (29/7/1963)
 * Red Holloway - The Burner - PR 7299 (10/10/1963)
 * Lou Donaldson - Possum Head - CADET 734 (28/1/1964)
 * Art Blakey Hold On I'm Coming - LIMELIGHT 86038 (27/5/66) under pseudonym "Malcolm Bass"
 * George Braith Laughing Soul - PR 7474 (1/3/1966)
 * Grasella Oliphant - The Grass is Greener - ATL 1494 (1/3/1966)
 * Clifford Jordan - 'Soul Fountain'' – VORTEX 2101 (12/10/1966)
 * Grant Green - Iron City - COBBLESTONE 9002 (1967)
 * Johnny Little - Everything Must Change - MUSE 5158 (31/10/1977)
 * John Zorn - The Big Gundown - ELEKTRA/NONESUCH79139 (9/84-9/85)
 * John Zorn - Spillane - ELEKTRA/NONESUCH 79172 (8/86-9/87)
 * Jimmy Ponder - Mean Streets-No Bridges - MUSE 5324 (19/6/1987)
 * Jimmy Ponder - Jump - MUSE 5347 (28/3/1988)
 * Richard Pierson - Opening Statement – THE JAZZ LABEL LTD TJL001 (1997)