Big Jay McNeely

Cecil James McNeely (April 29, 1927 – September 16, 2018), better known as Big Jay McNeely, was an American rhythm and blues saxophonist.[2] He was born in Los Angeles, California. McNeely's first hit was "The Deacon's Hop," [3] an instrumental which was at the top of the Billboard R&B chart in early 1949.[2] He was added into The Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame.[4]

Big Jay McNeely
Birth nameCecil James McNeely
Born(1927-04-29)April 29, 1927
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedSeptember 16, 2018(2018-09-16) (aged 91)
Moreno Valley, California, U.S.
GenresJump blues, West Coast blues, jazz blues, rhythm and blues
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsTenor saxophone
Years activeLate 1940s–2018
LabelsCleopatra Blues, a division of Cleopatra Records[1]

McNeely died on September 16, 2018 from prostate cancer in Moreno Valley, California at the age of 91.[5]

References

  1. Jonny Whiteside, "Veteran Saxophone "Honker" Big Jay McNeely Can Still Blow Them Away", "LA Weekly", December 8, 2016
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Biography by Bill Dahl". Allmusic.com. Retrieved December 21, 2009.
  3. "Bman's Blues Report: Deacon's Hop - Big Jay McNeely and Detroit Gary Wiggins". www.bmansbluesreport.com. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
  4. "Blues Foundation Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Music Awards Set for May in Memphis". 2014-02-19. Retrieved 2016-07-14.
  5. "R.I.P. Big Jay McNeely, April 29, 1927-Sept. 16, 2018". Archived from the original on September 17, 2018. Retrieved September 17, 2018.

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