Al Casey: Biography

• Overview
• Discography
• Biography
• Related Artists

• Freddie Green
• Kenny Burrell
• Tiny Grimes

• Les Paul

• Gene Sedric
• Fats Waller

• Cozy Cole
• John Kirby
• Big Sid Catlett
• Gene Sedric
• Roy Eldridge
• Benny Carter
• Ben Webster

Born:

Sep 15, 1915 in Louisville, KY

Died:

Sep 11, 2005 in New York, NY

Genre:

Swing

Decades Active:

1930's|1940's|1950's|1960's|1970's|1980's|1990's

Artistic Quality

Medium

Cultural Impact

Medium

Popularity

Medium

Ratings Guide

Although it has been over half a century since Fats Waller's death and Al Casey has been active during most of that time, he is still closely linked with Waller. He started working with the pianist's group in the early '30s, and was his main guitarist (with time off) up until Waller's demise in 1943, recording literally hundreds of performances. Sticking to acoustic guitar during that period, Casey was a very valuable rhythm player who also contributed some excellent single-note solos. Casey, who had worked with Teddy Wilson's big band during part of 1939-1940, and recorded with Billie Holiday, Frankie Newton, and Chu Berry, briefly led a trio of his own, and in 1944 worked with Clarence Profit's group. By that time, he had switched to electric guitar and, inspired by Charlie Christian, he himself became influential for a time. Casey spent the following decades freelancing in swing and blues settings. During 1957-1961, he played RB with King Curtis, in the 1980s he was often featured with the Harlem Blues and Jazz Band, and in 1994 Al Casey recorded as a leader for Jazzpoint, a set not surprisingly titled A Tribute to Fats.

- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide