Eddie Vinson
Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson was an American jump blues, jazz, bebop and R&B alto saxophonist and blues shouter. He was nicknamed "Cleanhead" after an incident in which his hair was accidentally removed by lye contained in a hair-straightening product, necessitating shaving it off; enamoured of the look, Vinson maintained a shaved head thereafter. Music critic Robert Christgau has called Vinson "one of the cleanest, and nastiest, blues voices you'll ever hear."
Biography
Vinson was born in Houston, Texas. He started out with Milton Larkin's orchestra in the 1930s. At various times, he was with Tom Archia, while other members of the band included Cedric Haywood and Wild Bill Davis. He then played for Big Bill Broonzy. During the 1940s, he was with the Cootie Williams Orchestra. He recorded such tunes as "Cherry Red".There is some controversy over who composed "Four".
He died aged 70 in 1988, from a heart attack while undergoing chemotherapy, in Los Angeles, California.
Discography
With Oliver NelsonSwiss SuiteWith Arnett Cobb and the Muse All StarsLive at Sandy's! More Arnett Cobb and the Muse All Stars
With Buddy Tate and the Muse All StarsLive at Sandy's Hard Blowin'
With Helen Humes and the Muse All StarsHelen Humes and the Muse All Stars - with Arnett Cobb and Buddy Tate