Biography
Born on 6 October 1908 in Honey Grove, Texas, USA, and deceased on 14 April 1992 in New York City, New York, USA, Price received instruction in alto horn and piano at Texas schools before claiming victory in a dancing contest. The win brought an invitation to travel with the Alphonso Trent band. Returning to Texas, he backed vocalists on recording sessions while taking occasional club jobs, assembled his own group, and later traveled with a series of popular entertainers. Recognition came his way in the Kansas City area by 1930, yet by 1937 he had settled in New York as house pianist for Decca Records, appearing on innumerable dates that chiefly supported singers.
During the 1940s he performed as a soloist, led his small ensemble the Bluesicians, and collaborated with Sidney Bechet, also fitting in a brief European tour in 1948. The following decade found him alternating between Texas and New York, working clubs and recording with artists such as Henry ‘Red’ Allen. In the 1960s he remained busy in New York and revisited Europe, a schedule that extended through the 1970s and into the 1980s, at times alongside other veterans including Doc Cheatham. Price sang effectively, and his blues piano work maintained a very high standard.
During the 1940s he performed as a soloist, led his small ensemble the Bluesicians, and collaborated with Sidney Bechet, also fitting in a brief European tour in 1948. The following decade found him alternating between Texas and New York, working clubs and recording with artists such as Henry ‘Red’ Allen. In the 1960s he remained busy in New York and revisited Europe, a schedule that extended through the 1970s and into the 1980s, at times alongside other veterans including Doc Cheatham. Price sang effectively, and his blues piano work maintained a very high standard.