Biography
Nat Jaffe ranks among the numerous jazz artists cut short by an early death, in his instance from high blood pressure, just as his abilities as a swing pianist were reaching fuller expression. Between 1921 and 1932 he resided in Berlin alongside his relatives and pursued rigorous classical piano study. Upon returning to the United States at fourteen he first encountered jazz. He supported Noel Francis, performed in the Emery Deutsch Orchestra, and frequently appeared as a solo pianist along 52nd Street. Additional associations included engagements with Jan Savitt and Joe Marsalis; a 1938 session beside Louis Armstrong; stints and recordings with the Charlie Barnet orchestra from 1938 to 1939 and the Jack Teagarden orchestra from 1939 to 1940; leadership of his own trio; and a 1945 date with Sarah Vaughan. Under his own name he cut three unaccompanied piano solos in 1938 for Onyx, four duets in 1944 for Signature, and four trio selections the same year for Black & White.