Bobby Timmons

Bobby Timmons is so well-known for his gospel and funky blues cliches, that his skills as an inspired Bud Powell bebop player are long forgotten. Timmons was a Philadelphian jazz musician who worked with Kenny Dorham (1956), Chet Bak, Sonny Stitt and the Maynard Ferguson Big Band. His commercial success was partially responsible for Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers’ and Cannonball Adderley’s Quintet’s commercial success. Blakey was his partner during 1958-1959. Timmons wrote “Moanin” and Adderley’s song “This Here”. It is no surprise that Adderley was upset when Timmons, in 1960, decided to return to Jazz Messengers. Oscar Brown, Jr. recorded lyrics about his son, “Dat Dere”, which were particularly popular. Timmons was already recording for Riverside and soon formed his own band. However, he was not able to achieve the same commercial success as his bosses. Timmons was stereotypically portrayed as a funky pianist, but he had a lot of influence on Ramsey Lewis and Les McCann. His career slowly declined. He worked until his death from cirrhosis in the liver at 38. Allmusic

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