Eddie Heywood

The Eddie Heywood Sextet was extremely popular in the mid-’40s, playing melodic and tightly arranged versions of swing standards. Heywood’s dad, Eddie Heywood, Sr., was a solid jazz pianist from the 1920s who frequently followed Butterbeans and Susie. He trained piano to his child, who played expertly when he was 14. Heywood Jr. performed with rings led by Wayman Carver (1932), Clarence Like (1934-1937), and, after shifting to NY, Benny Carter (1939-1940). Heywood led his personal group from that period on, support Billie Holiday on the few occasions beginning in 1941. In 1943, Eddie Heywood required several traditional solos on the Coleman Hawkins quartet day (especially “THE PERSON I REALLY LIKE”) and come up with his 1st sextet, which also included Doc Cheatham and Vic Dickenson. Their 1944 edition of “Start the Beguine” became popular, and 3 years of solid success adopted. During 1947-1950, Heywood was stricken having a incomplete paralysis of his hands and may not play whatsoever. He produced a gradual return in the 1950s, mainly performing watered-down industrial music furthermore to composing the typical “Canadian Sunset.” Despite another strike of paralysis in the past due ’60s, Eddie Heywood continuing performing in to the 1980s.