McPartland, Jimmy, 1907-1991

Jimmy McPartland, a cornetist, was born in 1907 in Chicago, IL. While in Europe during WWII, McPartland met and married English pianist Marian Turner. After becoming one of the most influential figures in the history of jazz in Chicago, Jimmy McPartland died in 1991. Marian (Turner) McPartland was born in 1918 and was classically trained. Marian hosts the longest running and most widely carried jazz program on National Public Radio. Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz went on air for the first time in 1978. She has received numerous awards for her broadcast work, including an induction into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2007.

From the description of Jimmy and Marian McPartland collection, 1923-1990 (inclusive). (University of Chicago Library). WorldCat record id: 605906479

Jimmy McPartland was born in 1907 in Chicago, IL. A cornetist, McPartland and his brother Dick received early training from their bandleader father. They later attended Chicago’s Austin High School where with Bud Freeman (saxophone), Jim Lanigan (string bass), and Frank Teschemacher (clarinet), formed their first jazz band in 1922, the “Austin High Gang.” It was also at this time that McPartland began listening to the music of Bix Beiderbecke through the recordings of the Wolverines. When Bix left the Wolverines in 1924, McPartland was chosen to replace him.

By 1927, McPartland was invited to join the Ben Pollack Orchestra, sitting alongside such famous jazz musicians as Benny Goodman and Jack Teagarden. During the same year he recorded with McKenzie and Condon’s Chicagoans, which included the Austin High School Gang. These recordings are often considered to be definitive expressions of the Chicago jazz style. Upon leaving Pollack, McPartland began leading and recording with his own small groups in New York and Chicago. While in Europe during WWII, McPartland met and married English pianist Marian Turner.

After becoming one of the most influential figures in the history of jazz in Chicago, Jimmy McPartland died in 1991.

Marian (Turner) McPartland was born in 1918 and was classically trained. She was traveling Europe with a four-piano vaudeville act, entertaining Allied troops when she met her future husband. After the war, the two as part of a quartet recorded in Chicago.

As Marian McPartland’s musical focus shifted to bebop, she struck out on her own, establishing her own trio and taking up what would become an eight year residency at the Hickory House in New York City. The Hickory House became a gathering place for colleagues such as Oscar Peterson, Benny Goodman, and Duke Ellington. Marian also founded her own record label, Halcyon, which recorded such artists as Earl Hines, Teddy Wilson, and Dave McKenna. In addition to performing, she composed songs that were recorded by popular artists like Tony Bennett and Peggy Lee.

Marian hosts the longest running and most widely carried jazz program on National Public Radio. Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz went on air for the first time in 1978. She has received numerous awards for her broadcast work, including an induction into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2007.

From the guide to the McPartland, Jimmy and Marian. Collection, 1923-1990, (Special Collections Research Center University of Chicago Library 1100 East 57th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.)