Jimmy Wormworth facts for kids

James Edward Wormworth III (born August 14, 1937) is an American jazz drummer. He was born in Utica, New York. A famous jazz writer, Leonard Feather, once called him "one of the most promising young drummers" in New York in 1960.

Jimmy Wormworth is also the father of two other musicians: his son James Wormworth is a drummer, and his daughter Tracy Wormworth is a bassist.

Early Life and Music Career

Jimmy Wormworth was born in Utica, New York. His father, James Wormworth II, was also a jazz drummer and pianist. His mother, Ann Mariani, was the sister of a tenor saxophonist named Dick Mariani.

Jimmy started learning to play the drums in 1947 when he was just 10 years old. His teacher was George Claesgens. By the time he was a teenager, he was already playing music professionally in upstate New York.

Touring and Collaborations

In 1956 and 1957, Jimmy Wormworth traveled to Europe with American music groups. He then toured with singer Nellie Lutcher starting in February 1958.

Later in 1958, he began working with a group called Les Jazz Modes. He also played with famous musicians like Lou Donaldson and Phineas Newborn from 1958 to 1959.

From January to May 1959, Jimmy was part of the house band at a New York club called the Five Spot. He played there with Mal Waldron. In October 1959, he started touring with the popular vocal group Lambert, Hendricks and Ross.

Recordings and Later Work

Jimmy Wormworth has played drums on many recordings with different artists. In the late 1950s, he recorded with The Jazz Modes, which included Charlie Rouse and Julius Watkins, and with Lou Donaldson.

In the early 1960s, he recorded with Lambert, Hendricks and Ross and Jon Hendricks. In the 1970s, he played on albums with Al Haig, J. R. Monterose, Allen Eager, and Hod O'Brien.

More recently, he has recorded with Annie Ross, Tardo Hammer, Charles Davis, John Marshall, and German pianist Joe Haider.

Jimmy Wormworth started working with pianist Al Haig in 1969. They played together regularly from about 1974 until Al Haig passed away in 1982.

In 2012, Jimmy taught music classes and workshops at the Konservatorium Wien. He was also featured in a 2012 documentary film called No One but Me. This film was about the jazz singer Annie Ross.

Music Recordings

This section lists some of the music recordings where Jimmy Wormworth played drums. When he plays with other musicians, he is called a "sideman."

With Charlie Rouse and Julius Watkins

• The Jazz Modes (Atlantic, 1958)

With Lou Donaldson

• Light-Foot (Blue Note, 1958)

With Lambert, Hendricks & Ross

• Lambert, Hendricks & Ross Sing Ellington (Columbia, 1960)
• L, H & R Flying High with the Ike Isaacs Trio (Columbia, 1961)

With Jon Hendricks

• Evolution of the Blues Song (Columbia, 1960)

With Al Haig

• Serendipity (King, 1977)
• Manhattan Memories (Sea Breeze, 1977 [1983])

With J. R. Monterose

• Welcome Back, J.R! (Progressive, 1979)

With Hod O'Brien

• Bits and Pieces (Uptown, 1982)

With Allen Eager

• Renaissance (Uptown, 1982)

With Tardo Hammer

• Tardo's Tempo (Sharp Nine, 2004)
• Simple Pleasure (Cellar Liv, 2013)

With John Marshall

• Frisky (Organic Music, 2005)
• Waltz for Worms (Organic, 2010)

With Annie Ross

• Let Me Sing (CAP, 2005)

With Stephanie Nakasian

• I Love You (Spice of Life, 2006)

With Gil Coggins

• Better Late Than Never (Smalls, 2007)

With Charles Davis

• Land of Dreams (Smalls, 2007)

With Joe Haider

• A Moment in Montreux (Sound Hills, 2013)