Campbell, John (Elwood II)
Campbell, John (Elwood II)
Campbell, John (Elwood II), jazz pianist, vibraphonist, bassist, drummer; b. Bloomington, 111., July 7, 1955. Campbell’s grandfather played piano and organ semi–professionally, an uncle was a school band director, and his younger brother is an amateur drummer. He started piano at seven and as a teenager he taught himself drums, bass, and vibraphone. He performed at school dances and had a gig at a pizza parlor. He attended 111. State Coll. (1973–75), and gigged locally. In 1976 he moved to Chicago, where he led a quartet (1978–c. 1982). His trio worked at the Jazz Showcase backing up Eddie Jefferson, Eddie Harris, James Moody, Red Rodney, and Bunky Green. He played with Stan Getz (1984), worked and recorded on occasion with Clark Terry (from 1984), and toured with Mel Torme (1986–90). He then worked with Milt Jackson, Moody, Cleo Laine and Johnny Dankworth, Greg Gisbert, and Jerry Dodgion (1993–97); he also played solo at the Four Seasons. He moved back to Chicago in 1997, where he continues to freelance.
Discography
After Hours (1988); Turning Point (1990); Live at Maybeck Recital Hall (1993).
—Lewis Porter