Paul Gayten facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paul Gayten
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Paul Leon Gayten |
| Born | January 29, 1920 Kentwood, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | March 26, 1991 (aged 71) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1940s–1970s |
Paul Leon Gayten (born January 29, 1920 – died March 26, 1991) was an American musician. He was a talented R&B pianist. He also wrote songs, produced music, and worked as a record company boss.
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Early Life and Music Beginnings
Paul Gayten was born in Kentwood, Louisiana. His uncle was the famous blues pianist Little Brother Montgomery. Paul started playing piano when he was a teenager. He played in local bands. He also formed his own group called Paul Gayten's Sizzling Six. A musician named Teddy Edwards, who later became a famous jazz saxophonist, was part of this group.
Making Music in New Orleans
During World War II, Paul Gayten led a band. They played at an Army base in Biloxi, Mississippi. After the war, he moved to New Orleans. There, he formed a new trio. They became very popular at a place called the Club Robin Hood.
In 1947, his trio recorded some of the first big R&B hits from New Orleans. These songs included "True (You Don't Love Me)" and "Since I Fell for You". The song "Since I Fell for You" featured the singer Annie Laurie. Both songs became top ten hits on the US Billboard R&B music chart. Paul Gayten also played piano for singer Chubby Newsom on her hit song "Hip Shakin' Mama".
Expanding His Sound
In 1949, Paul Gayten made his group bigger. It became a nine-piece orchestra. They then signed with Regal Records. While at Regal, Gayten wrote the number one R&B hit "For You My Love" for Larry Darnell. He also recorded "I'll Never Be Free" again with Annie Laurie.
His orchestra traveled a lot, performing in many places. For a while, the famous saxophonist Hank Mobley and singer Little Jimmy Scott played with his band. They even performed on the same stage as jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. In 1951, he moved to another record label, Okeh Records.
Working Behind the Scenes
In 1956, Paul Gayten decided to stop touring with his band. He joined Chess Records. At Chess, he had many important jobs. He was a talent scout, which means he looked for new musicians. He was also a producer, helping artists record their music. He promoted songs, wrote new ones, and sometimes played music himself.
He discovered Clarence "Frogman" Henry. Gayten produced Henry's first hit song, "Ain't Got No Home", in 1956. Later, he helped write and produce Henry's biggest hit, "But I Do", in 1961.
At Chess Records, Gayten also produced "Later Alligator" for Bobby Charles. He played the piano on several songs by the rock and roll legend Chuck Berry. These songs included "Carol", "Beautiful Delilah", and "Vacation Time".
Paul Gayten also had some of his own big hits during this time. These included "The Music Goes Round and Round" in 1956, "Nervous Boogie" in 1957, "Windy" in 1958, and "The Hunch" in 1959.
Later Years
In 1960, Paul Gayten and his wife, Odile, moved to Los Angeles. He continued to manage Chess Records' operations there. In 1968, he started his own record label called Pzazz. This label recorded music by artists like Louis Jordan.
Paul Gayten retired in 1978. He continued to live in Los Angeles with his wife. He passed away in March 1991, at the age of 71.
