Joshua Altheimer
Joshua Altheimer (May 17, 1910 – November 18, 1940)[1][2][note 1] was an American pianist who is remembered for accompanying Big Bill Broonzy, Lonnie Johnson, Sonny Boy Williamson and others on influential blues recordings made in Chicago in the 1930s. He was described by Broonzy as "the best blues piano player I ever heard", and by blues historian Hugues Panassié as "the greatest blues pianist on records".[3]
Biography
He was born in Altheimer, Arkansas, which he claimed had been founded by his grandfather, and would therefore have had family connections with the leading Chicago law firm of Altheimer & Gray. Joshua Altheimer was relatively light-skinned; it is believed that his grandfather (Louis Altheimer) was an immigrant from Germany and his grandmother an ex-slave (Epsy Marks). His father was Silas Altheimer.[3] It is thought likely that he received some formal musical training, explaining his technique and "perfect tempo".[3] He worked for some years in Arkansas, where he met and probably first performed with blues singer Big Bill Broonzy, who grew up in the same area. Altheimer then moved to Chicago, and in 1937 began working as Broonzy's regular piano accompanist.[2]
According to writer Roger House, Altheimer "brought a nimble, boogie-woogie piano style to the urban blues trio".
References
- ISBN 978-0313344237.
- ^ a b c d Bruce Eder. "Joshua Altheimer - Biography - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
- ^ ISBN 9780226717456. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
- ISBN 9780807138090. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
- ISBN 9780810869332. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
Notes
- ^ Although some sources give his date of death as February 18, 1940, that cannot be correct as he is known to have recorded later that year.
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