George Wallington facts for kids

George Wallington (born October 27, 1924 – died February 15, 1993) was a talented American jazz pianist and composer. He was known for his cool jazz style and his important role in the early bebop music scene.

Who Was George Wallington?

George Wallington was born Giacinto Figlia in Sicily in 1924. When he was just one year old, his family moved to New York in the United States. His father was an opera singer and introduced George to classical music. However, George soon discovered jazz music. He especially loved the sound of saxophonist Lester Young.

How Did He Get His Name?

George shared that he got the name "Wallington" in high school. He liked to wear fancy clothes. The kids in his neighborhood would see him and say, "Hey, look at Wallington!" He left school at age 15 to start playing piano professionally in New York City.

George Wallington's Music Career

From 1943 to 1953, George Wallington played with many famous jazz musicians. He performed with legends like Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Lionel Hampton. He also recorded his own music for well-known labels such as Savoy and Blue Note.

In 1953, he went on a tour of Europe with Lionel Hampton's big band. This was a great experience for him.

Leading His Own Bands

From 1954 to 1960, George led his own jazz groups in New York. These bands featured many rising stars in jazz. Some of these young musicians included Donald Byrd, Jackie McLean, and Phil Woods. He recorded albums with these groups for labels like Prestige and Atlantic.

Later Years and Return to Music

In 1960, George Wallington decided to take a break from music. He moved to Florida to work in his family's air conditioning business. He mentioned that the constant touring and stress of being a musician were too much.

However, after many years, George returned to music in 1984. He recorded three more albums: Virtuoso in 1984, Symphony of a Jazz Piano in 1986, and Pleasure of a Jazz Inspiration in 1992. He also performed at the Kool Jazz Festival in New York in 1985.

Famous Songs by George Wallington

George Wallington wrote several well-known jazz compositions. His most famous songs include:

• "Lemon Drop": This song became very popular when Woody Herman played it in the late 1940s.
• "Godchild": This piece was featured in the famous The Birth of the Cool recordings. These recordings were led by the legendary trumpeter Miles Davis.

Discography Highlights

George Wallington recorded many albums both as a band leader and as a sideman. Here are some of his notable recordings:

As a Leader

• The George Wallington Trios and Septet (1949–51)
• The George Wallington Trio (1952–53)
• Live at the Café Bohemia (1955)
• Jazz for the Carriage Trade (1956)
• Knight Music (1956)
• The New York Scene (1957)
• Virtuoso (1984)
• The Pleasure of a Jazz Inspiration (1985)
• The Symphony of a Jazz Piano (1986)

As a Sideman

George Wallington also played piano on albums led by other jazz artists:

• With Serge Chaloff on We the People Bop (1946–49)
• With Stan Getz and Zoot Sims on The Brothers (1952)
• With Al Cohn on Al Cohn's Tones (1950, 1954)
• With Gerry Mulligan on Mulligan Plays Mulligan (1951)
• With Lionel Hampton on Oh! Rock (1953)

See also

In Spanish: George Wallington para niños