picture of Big John Patton
 

 
Big John Patton
John (* 1935 in Kansas City) was an American jazz composer and performer. He developed the nickname "Big John", not because of his size, but because of a song. "Remember the tune, 'Big Bad John'? ... yeah, well, that's what they started calling me and at first I didn't understand it but I love it now. It's just a name; if it's going to help you, then boogie on up in there!"
 
Patton's mother was a church pianist who taught him how to play fundamentals. When he was about 13 years old, he began to teach himself. He was inspired by the music he heard in his hometown, but he wanted to play beyond the Kansas City jazz scene. After high school, he headed East and found professional work. In 1954 in Washington, D.C., he found out that R&B star Lloyd Price was playing at the Howard Theater, and that Price had just fired his pianist and needed a new player. Patton played a few bars from the introduction to "Lawdy, Miss Clawdy". He was given the job.
 
It was a relationship that would last until 1959. "I learned everything with Lloyd," Patton said. "I was his 'straw boss' and the leader and he dumped all this on me and that was an experience that I got a chance to deal with." He recruited top players for Lloyd, including drummer Ben Dixon. Dixon, another self-taught player, encouraged John to check out the Hammond B-3 organ when they played in clubs that had one. "Some of the clubs that we would play in would have an organ off to the side and every time I would have a chance to get with that organ, man, it was just fascinating to me...especially the bass line."
 
A man called "Butts" first showed Patton how to set up the organ and find the right registrations. When he moved to New York in late 1959, and began playing gigs around town, Herman Green, a friend who played with Lionel Hampton's band, took him to a Hammond in Asbury Park, NJ, and helped him learn how to play it. Patton was fascinated with the differences in the nuance of the sound that an electric organ could produce. "Man, listen, it's so sensitive and it will reveal its secrets if you try to get up in there and learn it...and learn the sound and contact. You can't play it like a piano 'cause that's another thing all together - The notes are the same but, see, that electricity puts another 'jammie' on you, you know what I mean? You must deal with touch and so many other thing...and I was very frustrated at first."
 
Patton set up his own Hammond organ trio in 1959. Blue Note artist Ike Quebec became his mentor, introducing him into Blue Note and to one of the most important relationships in his career, with guitarist Grant Green. "Grant is my love...I never heard nobody play the guitar like that brother...Grant started playing when he was about twelve and he was out there a long time...and I was so thrilled that I got a chance to play with him, man, but he was greedy, (like a) Gemini, (but) I was a mule...I didn't care; I sho' learned!"
 
He worked as a sideman for Lou Donaldson for three and a half years, until 1964. "He says 'Play the BLUES'," Patton recalled. "You don't mess with Lou 'cause Lou knows how to play the Be Bop and Blues and Rhythm and Blues ... I am very fortunate that I got a chance to spend that much time with him and I can't thank him enough."
 
During the 1960s in New York and on the road, Patton became one of the most recognizable figures in jazz, and was a driving force of the sound of electric organ. He recorded for the Blue Note label with artists such as Harold Alexander and George Coleman on LPs such as Understanding and Accent on the Blues. He was a leader and a sideman for George Braith, Don Wilkerson and Lou Donaldson. Patton worked as a sideman for myriad other labels as well. On one Limelight recording "Hold On, I'm Coming," with Art Blakey, he appears under the pseudonym Malcom Bass.
 
It was in the organ trio of guitarist Grant Green with drummer Ben Dixon in the soul-jazz fusion genre, that he did some of his best and most ground-breaking work. He also worked with Johnny Griffin, Harold Vick and Clifford Jordan, and some of the early experimentalists, including many who worked with SunRa Records during its heyday: trombonist Grachan Moncur III, guitarist James Blood Ulmer, and saxophonists John Gilmore and Marshall Allen.
 
Patton's style on the Hammond B-3 has been resistant to imitation because of its space and economy. Some have called it minimalist, but Patton claimed that he emulated the sounds of his favorite trumpet and reed players. "I love trumpet, I love trombone, I love reeds...I love it all...Musicians like Fred Jackson, Richard Williams, Grant Green, Ben Dixon and Johnny Griffin...I can go on and on ...This is where I got my concept..."
 
The acid jazz movement in the 1980s caused a resurgence in interest in Patton's music in the UK. Blue Note released many sessions that had not previously been released. Blue Note later released two forward-looking albums Boogaloo and Memphis to New York Spirit. Patton made several trips to England where he was embraced by the acid jazz community.
 
Patton continued recording until the late 1990s. In these later years he developed a loyal following in both Japan and Europe, both of which he toured in addition to his dates in the United States. Several dates were recorded by collectors. John died on 19 March 2002.
 
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Discography
The Natural Soul
Blue Note BST 84108
released 1963
recorded May 1962 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ/USA
Lou Donaldson, alto sax
John Patton, organ
Ben Dixon, drums
Grant Green, guitar
Tommy Turrentine, trumpet
Along Came John
Blue Note BLP 4130
released 1963
recorded April 1963 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ/USA
John Patton, organ
Ben Dixon, drums
Grant Green, guitar
Fred Jackson, tenor sax
Harold Vick, tenor sax
Steppin' Out
Blue Note BLP 4138
released 1963
recorded May 1963 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ/USA
Harold Vick, tenor sax
Grant Green, guitar
Blue Mitchell, trumpet
Big John Patton, organ
Ben Dixon, drums
Blue John
Blue Note BST 84143
released 1963
recorded July 1963
John Patton, organ
George Braith, soprano sax
Tommy Turrentine, trumpet
Grant Green, guitar
Ben Dixon, drums
Signifyin'
Argo LP-724
released 1963
recorded July 1963 in New York City/USA
Lou Donaldson, alto sax
John Patton, organ
Tommy Turrentine, trumpet
Roy Montrell, guitar
Ben Dixon, drums
Good Gracious!
Blue Note BST 84125
released 1964
recorded January 1963 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ/USA
Lou Donaldson, alto sax
John Patton, organ
Grant Green, guitar
Ben Dixon, drums
Soul Groove
Atlantic SD 1431
released 1964
recorded 1963 in USA
Johnny Griffin, tenor sax
Matthew Gee, trombone
John Patton, organ
Hank Jones, piano, organ
Aaron Bell, bass, tuba
Art Taylor, drums
Carlos "Patato" Valdes, congas, bongos
Am I Blue
Blue Note BLP 4139
released 1964
recorded May 1963 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ/USA
Grant Green, guitar
Joe Henderson, tenor sax
Johnny Coles, trumpet
Big John Patton, organ
Ben Dixon, drums
Possum Head
Argo LP-734
released 1964
recorded January 1964 in New York City/USA
Lou Donaldson, alto sax
John Patton, organ
Bill Hardman, trumpet
Ray Crawford, guitar
Ben Dixon, drums
Cleopas Morris, percussion
The Way I Feel
Blue Note BST 84143
released 1964
recorded June 1964 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ/USA
John Patton, organ
Grant Green, guitar
Fred Jackson, tenor sax, bairone sax
Richard Williams, trumpet
Ben Dixon, drums
Shoutin'
Blue Note BST 84145
released 1965
recorded July 1963 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ/USA
Don Wilkerson, tenor sax
Grant Green, guitar
John Patton, organ
Ben Dixon, drums
Oh Baby!
Blue Note BST 84192
released 1965
recorded March 1965 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ/USA
John Patton, organ
Blue Mitchell, trumpet
Harold Vick, tenor sax
Grant Green, guitar
Ben Dixon, drums
Let 'em Roll!
Blue Note BST 84239
released 1966
recorded December 1965 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ/USA
John Patton, organ
Bobby Hutcherson, vibes
Grant Green, guitar
Otis Finch, drums
Laughing Soul
Prestige PR 7474
released 1966
recorded March 1966 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ/USA
George Braith, soprano sax, tenor sax
Eddie Diehl, guitar
Grant Green, guitar
John Patton, organ
Victor Sproles, bass
Ben Dixon, drums
Richard Landrum, conga
Got A Good Thing Goin'
Blue Note BST 84229
released 1966
recorded April 1966 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ/USA
Big John Patton, organ
Grant Green, guitar
Hugh Walker, drums
Richard Landrum, congas
The Grass Is Greener
Atlantic SD 1494
released 1967
Grassella Oliphant, drums
Harold Ousley , tenor sax
Clark Terry, trumpet, flugelhorn
John Patton, organ
Major Holley, bass
That Certain Feeling
Blue Note BST 84281
released 1968
recorded March 1968 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ/USA
Big John Patton, organ
Junior Cook, tenor sax
Clifford Jarvis, drums
Jimmy Ponder, guitar
Understanding
Blue Note BST 84306
released 1968
recorded October 1968 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ/USA
Big John Patton, organ
Harold Alexander, tenor sax, flute
Hugh Walker, drums
Accent On The Blues
Blue Note BST 84340
released 1969
recorded August 1969 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ/USA
Big John Patton, organ
James Ulmer, guitar
Marvin Cabell, tenor sax, flute
Leroy Williams, drums
Iron City
Cobblestone CST 9002
released 1972
recorded 1967 in New York City/USA
Grant Green, guitar
Big John Patton, organ
Ben Dixon, drums
Everything Must Change
Muse Records MR 5158
released 1978
recorded in Englewood Cliffs, NJ/USA
Johnny Lytle, vibes
John Patton, keyboards
Dave Schnitter, sax
Robbin Gordon, harp
George Duvivier, bass
Al Foster, drums
Soul Connection
Nilva Records NQ 3406
released 1983
recorded June 1983 in White Plains, NY/USA
John Patton, Hammond B-3 organ
Grachan Moncur III, trombone
Grant Reed, tenor sax
Melvin Sparks, guitar
Alvin Queen, drums
The Big Gundown
Nonesuch 9 79139-1 F
released 1986
recorded September 1984 through September 1985 in New York City/USA
John Zorn, alto sax, conductor, harpsichord, piano, vocals
Tim Berne, alto sax
Jim Staley, trombone, bass trombone
Vicki Bodner, oboe, English horn
Derek Bailey, guitar
Bill Frisell, guitar
Fred Frith, guitar
Jody Harris, guitar
Arto Lindsay, guitar, batucada, vocals
Robert Quine, guitar
Vernon Reid, guitar
Marc Ribot, guitar
Anthony Coleman, organ, piano, harpsichord, vocals
Wayne Horvitz, organ, piano, celeste
Big John Patton, organ
Jamie Saft, keyboards
David Weinstein, synthesizer
Guy Klucevsek, accordion
Carol Emanuel, harpsichord, harp
Ned Rothenberg, Jew's harp, ocarina, shakuhachi
Orvin Aquart, harmonica
Toots Thielemans, harmonica, whistle
Polly Bradfield, violin
Mark Feldman, violin
Erik Friedlander, cello
Christian Marclay, turntables
Greg Cohen, bass
Trevor Dunn, bass
Melvin Gibbs, bass
Joey Baron, drums
Anton Fier, drums
Mark E. Miller, drums, timpani
Bobby Previte, drums, percussion, timpani, vocals
Cyro Baptista, percussion
Duduka Da Fonseca, percussion
Claudio Silva, pandeiro
Jorge Silva, surdo
Laura Biscotto, vocals
Diamanda Galás, vocals
Miho Hatori, voices
Shelley Hirsch, vocals
Luli Shioi, vocals
Spillane
Elektra Nonesuch 7559-79172-2
released 1987
recorded June 1987 in New York City/USA
John Zorn, composer
Melvin Gibbs, bass
Ronald Shannon Jackson, drums
Bobby Previte, drums, percussion
Robert Quine, guitar
Albert Collins, guitar, voice
Wayne Horvitz, piano, keyboards
John Patton, organ
Mean Streets - No Bridges
Muse Records MR 5324
released 1987
recorded 1967 in New York City/USA
Jimmy Ponder, guitar, vocals
Greg Bandy, drums
Bill Saxton, flute
Big John Patton, organ
Geary Moore, guitar
Bill Saxton, tenor sax
Jump
Muse Records MCD 5347
released 1989
recorded March 1988 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ/USA
Jimmy Ponder, guitar, vocals
James Anderson, tenor sax
Geary Moore, guitar
Big John Patton, organ
Eddie Gladden, drums
Lawrence Killian, percussion
Blue Planet Man
King Records KICJ 168
released 1993
recorded April 1993 in New York, NY/USA
Big John Patton, organ
John Zorn, alto sax
Pete Chavez, tenor sax
Bill Saxton, soprano sax, tenor sax
Ed Cherry, guitar
Eddie Gladden, drums
Lawrence Killian, congas
Rorie Nichols, vocal
A Second Look
Groovin' High 1010-2
released 1994
recorded April 1994 in Brooklyn, NY/USA
Ed Cherry, guitar
Kenny Baron, piano
John Patton, organ
Steve Nelson, vibes
Andy McKee, bass
Yoron Israel, drums
Laurence Killian, congas
Jose Mangual, bongos
George Bragg, timbales
Boogaloo
Blue Note B1 7243 8 31878 1 2
released 1995
recorded August 1968 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ/USA/USA
John Patton, organ
Harold Alexander, tenor sax, flute
Vincent McEwan, trumpet
George Edward Brown, drums
Richie 'Pablo' Landrum, congas
This One's For Ja
DIW 896
recorded December 1995 in New York City/USA
John Patton, organ
John Zorn, alto sax
Ed Cherry, guitar
Kenny Wollesen, drums
Memphis To New York Spirit
Blue Note 835221
Reissue of recordings from 1969/70
John Patton, organ
Marvin Cabell, flute, sax
James 'Blood' Ulmer, guitar
Leroy Williams, drums
This One's For Ja
DIW 919
recorded December 1995 in New York City/USA
John Patton, Hammond B-3 organ
Dave Hubbard, tenor sax
Ed Cherry, guitar
Eddie Gladden, drums
Lawrence Killian, percussion
Accent On The Blues
Blue Note CDP 7243 8 53924 2 9 (reissue)
recorded August 1969 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ/USA
Big John Patton, organ
James Ulmer, guitar
Marvin Cabell, tenor sax, flute
Leroy Williams, drums
Blue Breakbeats
Blue Note CDP 7243 4 94709 2 7
recorded between 1952 and 1963 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ/USA
Lou Donaldson, alto sax
Blue Mitchell, trumpet
Ed Williams, trumpet
George Benson, guitar
Ted Dunbar, guitar
Grant Green, guitar
Jimmy Ponder, guitar
Melvin Sparks, guitar
Charles Earland, organ
John Patton, organ
Lonnie Smith, organ
Leon Spencer, organ
Ben Dixon, drums
Idris Muhammad, drums
A Man With A Horn
Blue Note 7243 5 21436 2 7
recorded September 1961 and June 1963 in New York City/USA
Lou Donaldson, alto sax
Ben Dixon, drums
Joe Dukes, drums
Grant Green, guitar
Jack McDuff, organ
John Patton, organ
Irvin Stokes, trumpet
Blues For Lou
Blue Note 7243 5 21438 2 5
recorded February and June 1963 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ/USA
Grant Green, guitar
John Patton, organ
Ben Dixon, drums
The Complete Blue Note Sessions
Blue Note Blue Note 7243 5 24555 2 2
compilation
Don Wilkerson, tenor sax
Grant Green, guitar
Sonny Clark, piano
Johnny Acea, piano
John Patton, organ
Butch Warren, bass
Lloyd Trotman, bass
Billy Higgins, drums
Willie Bobo, drums
Ben Dixon, drums
Jual Curtis, tambourine
Retrospective
Blue Note 7243 5 40851 2 3
compilation, recorded 1961 through 1966
Grant Green, guitar
George Braith, soprano sax, tenor sax
Lou Donaldson, alto sax
James Spaulding, alto sax
Booker Ervin, tenor sax
Joe Henderson, tenor sax
Hank Mobley, tenor sax
Ike Quebec, tenor sax, piano
Sam Rivers, tenor sax
Wayne Shorter, tenor sax
Stanley Turrentine, tenor sax
Harold Vick, tenor sax
Johnny Coles, trumpet
Blue Mitchell, trumpet
Lee Morgan, trumpet
Tommy Turrentine, trumpet
John "Johnny" Adriano Acea, piano
Sonny Clark, piano
Kenny Drew, piano
Tommy Flanagan, piano
Herbie Hancock, piano
Winston Kelly, piano
Horace Parlan, piano
Duke Pearson, piano
McCoy Tyner, piano
Billy Gardner, organ
Jack McDuff, organ
Big John Patton, organ
Jimmy Smith, organ
Baby Face Willette, organ
Larry Young, organ
Bobby Hutcherson, vibes
Dave Bailey, drums
Donald Bailey, drums
Art Blakey, drums
Willie Bobo, drums
Ben Dixon, drums
Otis Finch, drums
Al Harewood, drums
Louis Hayes, drums
Billy Higgins, drums
Elvin Jones, drums
Philly Joe Jones, drums
Art Taylor, drums
Hugh Walker, drums
Richard Landrum, congas
Garvin Masseaux, tambourine
Carlos “Patato” Valdes, congas
The Artist Selects
Blue Note 0946 3 31434 2 5
compilation, recorded between 1952 and 1968
Lou Donaldson, alto sax, vocals
Wayne Shorter, tenor sax
Pepper Adams, baritone sax
Garnett Brown, trombone, guitar
Clifford Brown, trumpet
Freddie Hubbard, trumpet, piano
Melvin Lastie, trumpet
Blue Mitchell, trumpet
Tommy Turrentine, trumpet
George Benson, guitar
Grant Green, guitar
Jimmy Ponder, guitar
Charles Earland, organ
Herman Foster, piano
Elmo Hope, piano
Big John Patton, organ
Horace Silver, piano
Lonnie Smith, organ
McCoy Tyner, piano
Ron Carter, bass
Percy Heath, bass
Peck Morrison, bass
Gene Ramey, bass
Curly Russell, bass
Dave Bailey, drums
Art Blakey, drums
Ben Dixon, drums
Al Harewood, drums
Philly Joe Jones, drums
Idris Muhammad, drums
Art Taylor, drums
Ray Barretto, congas
Organ Trio And Quartet
Groove Hut Records GH 66701
comprising "Space Flight" from 1960 (tracks 1-10)
recorded June 1960 in Chicago, IL/USA
and "Iron City" from 1972 (tracks 11-16)
recorded 1967 in New York City/USA
"Space Flight":
Sam Lazar, organ
Grant Green, guitar
Willie Dixon, bass
Chauncey Williams, drums

"Iron City":
Grant Green, guitar
Big John Patton, organ
Ben Dixon, drums

 
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