Big Jay McNeely

Big Jay McNeely
Birth nameCecil James McNeely
Born(1927-04-29)April 29, 1927
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedSeptember 16, 2018(2018-09-16) (aged 91)
Moreno Valley, California, U.S.
GenresJump blues, West Coast blues, jazz blues, rhythm and blues
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsTenor saxophone
Years activeLate 1940s–2018
LabelsCleopatra Blues, a division of Cleopatra Records[1]

Cecil James McNeely (April 29, 1927 – September 16, 2018), better known as Big Jay McNeely, was an American rhythm and blues saxophonist.[2] He was born in Los Angeles, California. McNeely's first hit was "The Deacon's Hop," [3] an instrumental which was at the top of the Billboard R&B chart in early 1949.[2] He was added into The Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame.[4]

McNeely died on September 16, 2018 from prostate cancer in Moreno Valley, California at the age of 91.[5]

References

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  1. ↑ Jonny Whiteside, "Veteran Saxophone "Honker" Big Jay McNeely Can Still Blow Them Away", "LA Weekly", December 8, 2016
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Biography by Bill Dahl". Allmusic.com. Retrieved December 21, 2009.
  3. ↑ "Bman's Blues Report: Deacon's Hop - Big Jay McNeely and Detroit Gary Wiggins". www.bmansbluesreport.com. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
  4. ↑ "Blues Foundation Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Music Awards Set for May in Memphis". 2014-02-19. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
  5. ↑ "R.I.P. Big Jay McNeely, April 29, 1927-Sept. 16, 2018". Archived from the original on September 17, 2018. Retrieved September 17, 2018.

Other websites

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