George Duvivier

A consistently interesting, impressive bassist, George Duvivier’s single specialty was playing prompt notes within the upper sign-up, while providing stable deep accompaniment and clear strong playing within an ensemble situation. Though he rarely took a management part, he was a leading session, studio room, and section contributor, versatile enough to take care of combo and jam classes and both studio room and live times. During his profession, he caused golf swing, bop, and awesome players, actually the exciting Eric Dolphy. Duvivier analyzed violin in the Conservatory of Music and Artwork in NY and became associate concertmaster from the Central Manhattan Symphony Orchestra at 16. He turned to bass, later on studying structure at NY University. Duvivier used Coleman Hawkins, Eddie Barefield, and Lucky Millinder in the first ’40s, then proceeded to go into the Military. After his release, he was Jimmie Lunceford’s personnel arranger from 1945 to 1947, after that became a member of Sy Oliver’s big music group, doubling as bassist and arranger. Through the ’50s Duvivier toured European countries thoroughly with Lena Horne and Nellie Lutcher, and performed on many film soundtracks, industrial jingles, and tv shows. He produced a rare day as a innovator for the French Coronet label in 1956, using Martial Solal. Duvivier remained occupied with jazz times, using Bud Powell from 1953 to 1957, and documenting and using Chico Hamilton, Benny Goodman, Oliver Nelson, Shelly Manne, Count number Basie/Joe Williams, Frank Sinatra, Clark Terry, Ben Webster, Bob Wilber, and Dolphy. He toured with Hank Jones and Benny Carter through the past due ’70s. Duvivier also documented with several duos: Al Cohn and Zoot Sims; Sims with Joe Venuti; and Warren Vache and Jones. He passed away in 1985.