Vinson Eddie “Cleanhead”

Vinson, Eddie “Cleanhead”, R&B/jazz alto saxophonist, singer, bandleader; b. Houston, Tex., Dec. 18, 1917; d. Los Angeles, July 2, 1988. His nickname comes from his bald head, which he once said was shaved as a result of botched attempts to straighten his hair. He learned to play the alto saxophone in his youth, first worked in Chester Boone’s Band in late 1932, then was with Milt Larkin’s Band during the 1930s. From 1940-41 he was with Floyd Ray’s Orch. and in early 1942 he went to N.Y., where he played in Cootie Williams’s band (1942-45); his vocals with Williams’s band achieved great commercial success. Vinson’s biggest hit with the blues was the honkin’ “Cherry Red Blues/’ which would become his signature song. After briefly serving in the Army in early 1945, he rejoined Cootie Williams from spring until September 1945, then formed his own band, which gained popularity through blues performances. He led several small groups through the late 1940s, including one legendary group that featured saxophonist John Coltrane (November 1948-May 1949). With this group, he expanded into more jazz-oriented compositions, including two pieces, “Tune Up” and “Four,” that Miles Davis would later take credit for but that were actually composed by Vinson. Late in the 1940s Vinson led his own short-lived 16-piece band; he worked as a single during the early 1950s and rejoined Cootie Williams briefly in 1954. He reformed his own band, playing residencies in Chicago, then co-led with Arnett Cobb in Houston. During the early 1960s Vinson worked mainly in Kansas City, Mo. He toured Europe with Jay McShann in 1969 then led his own band in Calif., and also played with Johnny Otis. He made his home in Los Angeles, but frequently appeared in U.S. and European jazz and blues centers. He starred at Montreux Festival (June 1971). Vinson recorded with Cannonball Adderley, Arnett Cobb, Jay McShann, Johnny Otis, and others. He was hospitalized in mid-June 1988, and subsequently suffered a heart attack and died.

—Lewis Porter/John Chilton/Nicolas Slonimsky