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Western Michigan University's Keith Hall talks about jazz greats and talks with current practitioners of the art.0000017c-60f7-de77-ad7e-f3f73a350002

More on The Three Sounds

This is the second of two episodes featuring the music of The Three Sounds: pianist Gene Harris, bassist Andy Simpkins and drummer Bill Dowdy. 

During the 1950's and 60's, the trio not only worked as a trio, but also performed and recorded with instrumental and vocal soloists including Nat Adderley, Stanley Turrentine, Nancy Wilson, Lester Young and many others.  

The group changed personnel in 1966 when Bill Dowdy settled in Battle Creek Michigan with his family and Andy Simpkins left the band in 1968 where he continued to work with people like Sarah Vaughan and George Shearing.  Gene Harris continued on with other musicians but retired to Boise, Idaho in 1977. Even though he had 'retired' to Boise, he was still performing in the area and became a big influence on many young musicians including singer Curtis Stigers and pianist Paul Tillotson.  Harris was eventually rediscovered in 1984 by bassist Ray Brown and had a second career that was even bigger than his first.  Sadly, Andy Simpkins passed away in 1999 at the age of 67 and Gene Harris passed away in 2000 at the age of 66.  At the age of 82, Bill Dowdy continues to teach drums and piano where he lives in Battle Creek, Michigan.  Individually and collectively: Gene Harris, Andy Simpkins, and Bill Dowdy have influenced so many of us over the years and the Three Sounds have made an impact with their unmistakably soulful brand of jazz.

Music in this episode: 

1.  Would'n You (Dizzy Gillespie) from The Three Sounds Introducing the 3 Sounds

2.  Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You (Andy Razaf and Don Redman) from Stanley TurrentineBlue Hour

3. Don't Get Around Much Anymore (Duke Ellington & Bob Russell) from Nat Adderley'sBranching Out

4.  If I Were A Bell (Frank Loesser) from The Three Sounds It Just Got To Be

5. Swingin' Down at 10th and Main (Curtis Stigers) from Curtis StigersSecret Heart

6.  In a Mellow Tone (Duke Ellington) from The Three Sounds Blue Genes

7.  Days of Wine and Roses (Henry Mancini) from The Ray Brown Trio Bam Bam Bam

8.  Smack Dab in the Middle (Jesse Stone) from Gene Harris Down Home Blues

9.  Saucer Eyes (Randy Weston) from The Three Sounds Black Orchid

Be sure to listen to the first part of this story elsewhere on this page.

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