Eddie Vinson

American jump blues, jazz, bebop and R&B alto saxophonist and blues shouter. He was nicknamed “Cleanhead” after an incident in which his hair was accidentally destroyed by lye contained in a hair straightening product. In the late 1930s Vinson joined Milton Larkin's orchestra, along with Arnett Cobb and Tom Archia. After exiting Larkin's orchestra in 1941, he toured with bluesman Big Bill Broonzy. He then joined the Cootie Williams Orchestra in New York, 1942-1945, recording such tunes as "Cherry Red". Vinson formed his own large band in 1945, enjoying a double-sided hit in 1947 with his R&B chart-topper "Old Maid Boogie", and the song that would prove to be his signature number, "Kidney Stew Blues". During 1952-1953, his band included a young John Coltrane. In the early 1960s he moved to Los Angeles and worked with the Johnny Otis Revue. After a 1970 appearance at the Monterey Jazz Festival, Vinson worked high-profile blues and jazz sessions for Count Basie, Johnny Otis, Arnett Cobb, and Buddy Tate. He also composed steadily, including "Tune Up" and "Four". Vinson recorded extensively during his fifty-odd year career and performed regularly in Europe and the USA. He died on 2 July 1988 from a heart attack whilst undergoing chemotherapy, in Los Angeles, California. Link to Wikipedia biography