Johnny Pate facts for kids

John William Pate (born December 5, 1923) is an American musician. He was a talented jazz bassist. Later, he became a famous producer and arranger. He was a key figure in Chicago's soul, pop, and rhythm and blues music.

As a child, he learned to play the piano and tuba. He later started playing the bass guitar. While serving in the United States Army, he learned how to arrange music.

Johnny Pate's Music Journey

Early Jazz Years

In the 1940s, Johnny Pate worked with musicians like Coleridge Davis. In 1951, he started recording with Eddie South's Orchestra. He played bass and helped arrange the music for Chess Records. He also worked with saxophonist Eddie Johnson on many recordings.

During the 1950s, Pate was the main arranger for Red Saunders' band. This band played at the famous Club DeLisa. Johnny Pate was greatly inspired by the legendary musician Quincy Jones.

Recording His Own Music

Johnny Pate's trio recorded for several music labels in Chicago. These included Gig and Talisman. His group, the Johnny Pate Quintet, had a big hit. Their song "Swinging Shepherd Blues" reached number 17 on the Billboard R&B chart in 1958.

One of the last albums where Pate played bass was Last Train from Overbrook. This album was by James Moody in 1958. It was released on Argo Records, a part of Chess Records.

Johnny Pate as a Producer and Arranger

As a record producer, Johnny Pate helped create many albums. He produced and arranged B. B. King's album Live at the Regal in 1964. He also arranged and conducted music for Wes Montgomery's album Movin' Wes in 1965. In 1967, he worked on Lu Elliott's album Sings Way Out from Down Under.

Working with The Impressions

In the early 1960s, Johnny Pate joined Okeh Records. He was hired by producer Carl Davis to write music arrangements. Carl Davis had worked with many successful artists.

Johnny Pate, Curtis Mayfield, and The Impressions first worked together in 1963. They recorded the song "Sad Sad Girl and Boy." Their next song, "It's All Right," was a huge hit. It was number one on the R&B charts for two weeks. It also reached number four on the pop charts in 1963.

They continued to have many hits, including "Talking about My Baby" and "I'm So Proud." Their song "Keep On Pushing" was also very popular. The Keep On Pushing album reached number eight on the pop charts in 1964. Pate produced and recorded most of these hits in Chicago.

Because of their success, ABC-Paramount opened an office in Chicago. They made Johnny Pate the A&R director in 1964. This meant he was in charge of finding new artists. One group he signed, the Marvelows, had a hit song called "I Do."

Pate also arranged music for other artists. He worked on Major Lance's album Monkey Time.

In 1968, Pate started arranging music for Curtis Mayfield's Curtom label. He left in 1972 and worked on many other projects. He arranged horn music for the Bobby Bland and B. B. King Together Again...Live album in 1976. He also produced and arranged several albums for Peabo Bryson. One of these, CrossWinds (1978), won a Gold Award.

Johnny Pate also created music for movies. He scored soundtracks for films like Shaft in Africa (1973), Bucktown (1975), Dr. Black, Mr. Hyde (1976), and Sudden Death (1977). He also arranged music for the Bee Gees' 1973 album Life in a Tin Can.

In 2006, TNC Records released a special album to celebrate his 80th birthday. His song "Shaft in Africa" was used by producers in new songs. For example, K-Def used it for a song by Diddy. Just Blaze also used it for Jay-Z's song "Show Me What You Got". This is called sampling.

Awards and Organizations

In the late 1960s, Johnny Pate was a national trustee for the National Academy of Arts and Sciences. He played a big part in bringing the Grammy Awards to television.

Personal Life

Johnny Pate celebrated his 100th birthday on December 5, 2023.

Discography

As leader

• Johnny Pate Trio (Talisman, 1956)
• Subtle Sounds (GIG, 1956)
• Johnnie Pate at the Blue Note (Salem, 1957)
• Jazz Goes Ivy League (King, 1958)
• Swingin' Flute (Dance Beat for the Ivy League) (King, 1958)
• A Date With Johnnie Pate (King, 1959)
• Set A Pattern (ABC, 1968)
• Outrageous (MGM, 1970)
• Brother On The Run (The Original Soundtrack) (Perception, 1973)
• Shaft in Africa (ABC, 1973)
• Bucktown (The Original Soundtrack) (American International, 1975)

With Bill Doggett

• Doggett Beat for Dancing Feet (King, 1957)

With James Moody

• Last Train from Overbrook (Argo, 1958)

With Curtis Mayfield

• Super Fly (Curtom, 1972)