Billy Eckstine

American musician (1914–1993)

Born: 8 July 1914
Pittsburgh
Died: 8 March 1993
Pittsburgh
Country: United States
Record labels: Philips Records, Mercury Records, MGM Records
Discography: 24 albums

Biography

Billy Eckstine was a jazz musician who played guitar, trumpet, trombone and voice. Billy Eckstine was born on 8 July 1914 in Pittsburgh and died on 8 March 1993 in Pittsburgh. The music is usually filed under jazz. Record labels: Philips Records, Mercury Records and MGM Records. The discography here lists 24 albums, from “Billy Eckstine Favorites” (1950) to “Don’t Worry ’Bout Me & Broadway, Bongos and Mr. “B”” (2013). Honours include Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2019) and star on Hollywood Walk of Fame.

William Clarence Eckstine (July 8, 1914 – March 8, 1993) was an American jazz and pop singer and a bandleader during the swing and bebop eras. He was noted for his rich, almost operatic bass-baritone voice. In 2019, Eckstine was posthumously awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award "for performers who, during their lifetimes, have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording". His recording of "I Apologize" (MGM, 1951) was given the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1999. The New York Times described him as an "influential band leader" whose "suave bass-baritone" and "full-throated, sugary approach to popular songs inspired singers such as Earl Coleman, Johnny Hartman, Joe Williams, Arthur Prysock, and Lou Rawls."

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Discography

Studio and live albums

Billy Eckstine Favorites 1950 · MGM Records Blues for Sale 1954 · EmArcy On Savoy: Billy Eckstine 1954 · Concord Jazz Mr. B. With a Beat 1955 · MGM Records The Love Songs Of Mr. “B” 1955 · EmArcy Imagination 1958 · EmArcy No Cover, No Minimum 1960 · Live · Roulette Once More With Feeling 1960 · Roulette Broadway Bongos and Mr. “B” 1961 · Mercury Records Don’t Worry ’Bout Me 1962 · Mercury Records The Modern Sound Of Mr B 1964 · Mercury Records The Prime of My Life 1965 · Motown My Way 1966 · Motown For Love of Ivy 1968 · Motown Stormy 1971 · Enterprise Records Senior Soul 1972 · Enterprise Records If She Walked Into My Life 1974 · Stax Billy Eckstine Sings With Benny Carter 1987 · EmArcy Stormy / Feel the Warm 1994 · Stax Mr. B 1998 · Ember Records The Cool Mr. B 2000 · Collectors’ Choice Music Billy Eckstine & Quincy Jones at Basin Street East 2002 · Live · Mercury Records Now Singing in 12 Great Movies 2002 · Verve Music Group Don’t Worry ’Bout Me & Broadway, Bongos and Mr. “B” 2013 · Sepia Records

Also plays on

Albums where Billy Eckstine is credited as a sideman

1992

Howard McGhee & Milt Jackson — Howard McGhee & Milt Jackson

valve trombone

Standards written by Billy Eckstine

Title	Key	Form	Groove
I Want To Talk About You	E♭ major	AABA · 32	Ballad

Awards

Historic 78 rpm records

If That's The Way You Feel Billy Eckstine and his Orchestra · Billy Eckstine · G. Valentine · 1944 archive.org ↗
2nd Balcony Jump Billy Eckstine and his Orchestra · Billy Eckstine · Gerald Valentine · 1946 archive.org ↗
Cool Breeze Billy Eckstine · Gene Ammons · Dameron · Gillespie · 1946 archive.org ↗
I Want To Talk About You Billy Eckstine and his Famous Orchestra · Eckstine · 1951 archive.org ↗

Listen on Spotify

Frequently asked questions

What instrument did Billy Eckstine play?

Billy Eckstine is known for playing guitar, trumpet, trombone and voice.

When and where was Billy Eckstine born?

Billy Eckstine was born 8 July 1914 in Pittsburgh.

What are Billy Eckstine's best-known albums?

Albums in our database include Billy Eckstine Favorites (1950), Blues for Sale (1954), On Savoy: Billy Eckstine (1954), Mr. B. With a Beat (1955) and The Love Songs Of Mr. “B” (1955).

External links

Data compiled from open sources; see the source links below. Spotted an error? Let us know.