Lorraine Winifred Geller (née Walsh; September 11, 1928 – October 13, 1958) was an American jazz pianist.
Lorraine Geller | |
|---|---|
| Born | Lorraine Winifred Walsh September 11, 1928 |
| Died | October 13, 1958 (aged 30) Los Angeles, California |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Spouse | Herb Geller (m. 1951-1958; her death) |
| Children | 1 |
Geller was born in Portland, Oregon on September 11, 1928.[1] She started out with the all-female big band Sweethearts of Rhythm, based in New York.[2] She met saxophonist Herb Geller, and married him in 1951.[1] Together they moved to Los Angeles, where they played with many musicians on the West Coast jazz scene, such as Shorty Rogers, Zoot Sims, Stan Getz, and Red Mitchell; she also did sessions with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie.[1] In 1957, she accompanied Kay Starr.[1] The following year, she concentrated on bringing up her daughter, so did not often perform,[2] but she did play at the first Monterey Jazz Festival.[1] On October 13, 1958, Lorraine Geller died in Los Angeles; this has been attributed to heart failure[1] or pulmonary infection.[2]
Discography
editAs leader/co-leader
edit- The Gellers (EmArcy, 1955)[2]
- Lorraine Geller at the Piano (Dot, 1959, recorded 1954)
As sidewoman
editWith Maynard Ferguson
- Around the Horn with Maynard Ferguson (EmArcy, 1956)
With Herb Geller
- Herb Geller Plays (Emarcy, 1954) – with Leroy Vinnegar bass, Larance Marable percussion)
- The Herb Geller Sextette, Mercury (with e.g. Conte Candoli, Red Mitchell, 1955)
With Red Mitchell
- Presenting Red Mitchell (Contemporary, 1957)[2]
With others
- Miles Davis At Last : Miles Davis And The Lighthouse All Stars (Contemporary, 1953 [1985])
- Chet Baker, Miles Davis Complete performances with Lighthouse All Stars (Jazz Factory, 2004) – Lorraine Geller only present on the Miles Davis tracks
References
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