Hep Records, jazz in depth from the 1930's to the present day.


ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES


Joe Mooney. (1911-1975.) Joe Mooney first gained national notice in the early thirties as one of The Sunshine Boys along with his brother Dan. Despite being blind, Joe developed into a sought after band and vocal group arranger. In particular he worked for Paul Whiteman, and also the Modernaires before they became part of theGlenn Miller entourage. Partly due due to Whiteman’s encouragement Mooney had several groups featuring his uniquely intimate vocal styling but it was not until the post war era that he formed his classic quartet comprising guitarist Jack Hotop,John Frega on bass,Andy Fitzgerald on clarinet and himself on accordian and vocal. At first glance not a hot band but with Mooney’s arrangements and attention to detail the group could perform the most adventurous chamber jazz. The band opened in New York to universal praise and rave revues. A Decca contract was gained and fame and fortune seemed to beckon. Unfortunately outside of the big city it was almost impossible to find the sympathetic venues which were so necessary for their special sound and by 1948 it was all over. Joe did make a brief comeback in New York in 1950,this time on Hammond Organ and with a young guitarist called Bucky Pizzarelli,but again it did’nt take. As a footnote Bucky’s son John now includes some of Mooney’s material in his current repertoire. In the mid fifties Joe made albums for Columbia and Atlantic which are now much sought after . He retired to Florida where he worked around the clubs. He died in 1975. At the height of his fame Joe Mooney was admired by both Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett who frequently were in the audience appreciating his special talent. The two CD 63 and 65 cover the period of his greatest fame and include rare rehearsal and transcription performances. Top
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Three labels covering jazz in depth from 1930 to the present.

Hep Jazz, P.O. Box 50, Pitlochry, UK. PH16 5YL