Biography
During the mid-1950s pianist Clayton Love played a central role in Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm and cut some of his strongest sides with that storied outfit. His first appearance on record, however, arrived earlier in 1951 on Trumpet Records, the Jackson, Mississippi label run by Lillian McMurry, fronting his own jump band the Shufflers.
The group maintained a steady presence in Vicksburg while Love pursued pre-med studies at Alcorn A&M. His cousin, Natchez bandleader Earl Reed, had already waxed material for Trumpet and steered the young musician toward McMurry. The resulting 1951 debut coupling, “Susie” backed with “Shufflin’ with Love,” conveyed buoyant energy even if it lacked refinement. Subsequent sessions found Love on Aladdin in 1952, supported by saxist Raymond Hill’s band, then on Modern with Turner contributing guitar and on Groove in 1954. In 1957 he took the microphone and handled the 88s alongside Turner and the Kings of Rhythm for the Federal sides “Do You Mean It,” “She Made My Blood Run Cold,” and “The Big Question.”
Turner played no part in Love’s two 1958 singles for St. Louis-based Bobbin Records; bassist Roosevelt Marks instead directed the backing unit on the astute pairing “Limited Love”/“Unlimited Love.” Long established in the Gateway City, Love later teamed with fellow ivories aces Johnnie Johnson and Jimmy Vaughn for the 1991 Modern Blues Recordings album Rockin’ Eighty-Eights.
The group maintained a steady presence in Vicksburg while Love pursued pre-med studies at Alcorn A&M. His cousin, Natchez bandleader Earl Reed, had already waxed material for Trumpet and steered the young musician toward McMurry. The resulting 1951 debut coupling, “Susie” backed with “Shufflin’ with Love,” conveyed buoyant energy even if it lacked refinement. Subsequent sessions found Love on Aladdin in 1952, supported by saxist Raymond Hill’s band, then on Modern with Turner contributing guitar and on Groove in 1954. In 1957 he took the microphone and handled the 88s alongside Turner and the Kings of Rhythm for the Federal sides “Do You Mean It,” “She Made My Blood Run Cold,” and “The Big Question.”
Turner played no part in Love’s two 1958 singles for St. Louis-based Bobbin Records; bassist Roosevelt Marks instead directed the backing unit on the astute pairing “Limited Love”/“Unlimited Love.” Long established in the Gateway City, Love later teamed with fellow ivories aces Johnnie Johnson and Jimmy Vaughn for the 1991 Modern Blues Recordings album Rockin’ Eighty-Eights.
Albums
