Al Casey
b. 15 September 1915, Louisville, Kentucky, USA. Casey's first professional job as a guitarist was with Fats Waller, with whom he recorded extensively from 1934 until Waller's death in 1943. Also in the '30s, Casey worked with Teddy Wilson in his small groups, sometimes accompanying Billie Holiday, and big band. After switching from acoustic to electric guitar, on which instrument he proved to be an able disciple of Charlie Christian, Casey extended his range into R&B, recording with King Curtis. In demand for recording dates with artists such as Helen Humes, Casey was briefly confined to the studio, but in the '80s was back in full flow, touring extensively and delighting international audiences with his vigour and inventiveness.