Legendary bassist Jymie Merritt dies
The bassist - who was a member of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers and led The Forerunners - passed away on the 10th of April 2020.
Last updated 13th Apr 2020
The legendary bassist - who was a member of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers and led The Forerunners - passed away on the 10th of April 2020 aged 93 from liver cancer, confirmed by one of his sons Mike Merritt (another accomplished bassist).
After serving in the Second World War, the Philadelphia-born bassist was inspired by the famous bassist Jimmy Blanton - who played with Duke Ellington. In the 1950s, he played for figures such as blues legend BB King and Bullmoose Jackson, where he pioneered the use of the electric bass, before moving to New York to work with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers.
Merritt spent 5 years (1957-1963) with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, whose lineup at the time included trumpeter Lee Morgan, pianist Bobby Timmons and saxophonist Benny Golson. Merritt's time with the group meant he featured on some of their most revered Blue Note recordings, including Moanin' (1958), The Big Beat (1960) and A Night in Tunisia (1960). He is also featured on the upcoming release of Just Coolin' - a never-before-released studio album by the group.
His friendship with Lee Morgan led to a fruitful musical partnership, with Merritt playing on records such as Live at the Lighthouse (1970).
After leaving Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, the bassist went onto work with famous jazz figures like Chet Baker, drummer Max Roach and Dizzy Gillespie.
Jymie Merritt also went onto lead his own group, The Forerunners, from 1962 onwards. Although its members changed over the years, the original members included drummer Donald "Duck" Bailey and tenor saxophonist Odean Pope.
Along with Mike, Jymie is survived by his partner Ave Merritt; two older sons, Marlon and Marvon; and two daughters, Mharlyn and Jamie Reese.