Jazz Pianist Jimmy Rowles, Born In Spokane, Dies At 77

Jimmy Rowles, a jazz pianist who accompanied singers like Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzerald and Sarah Vaughan, has died. He was 77.

Rowles died of cardiac arrest on Tuesday at Thompson Memorial Hospital in Burbank.

Born in Spokane, Rowles was brimming with talents. When Rowles lived on South Tekoa, across the street from the Manito Park playgrounds, he learned to play a mean game of tennis. But he taught himself to play an even meaner jazz piano.

Rowles’ mother was his inspiration. She borrowed his Duke Ellington records. When she was 75, she stood in line for 45 minutes to hear John Coltrane.

Rowles married Dorothy Paden, a former North Central High School student. In 1940 he made his way to Los Angeles to play with small jazz groups on Central Avenue.

After serving in the Army during World War II, he played with the big bands of Woody Herman, Tommy Dorsey, Les Brown and Benny Goodman. He also played in the studio with Henry Mancini. He was dubbed a musical handyman to the greats, backing up Billie Holliday, Sarah Vaughan and Peggy Lee.

, DataTimes MEMO: Changed in the Spokane edition.