Spanky DeBrest

The name of Spanky DeBrest should come up in discussions of hip rhythm sections; that’s as inevitable because the sunset. The mix of the bassist’s surname and nicknames might seem like something on the menu in a paddle party — the backdrop music would need to end up being “Spanky Wanky,” a tune created in commitment to DeBrest by fellow Philly jazz renegade Alfie Pollitt. That tune, however, is really a downright obscure DeBrest guide set alongside the edges with which many jazz listeners actually become up to date with DeBrest. His most well-known affiliation has been master drummer Artwork Blakey on some recordings which includes a spellbinding cooperation with pianist and composer Thelonious Monk. DeBrest’s just terrific discography also contains hard bop materials from John Coltrane and Clifford Jordan, liner records occasionally list the bassist as Jimmy DeBrest. Possibly the “Spanky” nickname was made to avoid misunderstandings with among the bassist’s first bandleaders, Jimmy De Priest. Much more likely, it had been an attempt to explain taking care of of his personal audio, a string slap that could certainly redden flesh. Lee Morgan was still an adolescent when DeBrest is at the rhythm portion of the virtuoso trumpeter’s first Philly music group. They both continued to become listed on Blakey, the bassist staying within the drummer’s Jazz Messengers through 1958. DeBrest continuing documenting until 1971, 2 yrs before his loss of life.