Joe Morris
b. 1922, Montgomery, Alabama, USA, d. November 1958, Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Morris studied music at Alabama State Teachers’ College, and toured with the college band led by the Trenier Twins. Heard by Lionel Hampton in Florida in 1942, Morris joined Hampton's Orchestra, where he became a valued writer/arranger as well as a trumpeter. He remained with Hampton until 1946, when he briefly joined Buddy Rich's band. After forming his own band towards the end of 1946, Morris went on to record for Manor, Atlantic, Deccaand Herald, introducing new jazz and R&B stars such as Johnny Griffin, Elmo Hope, Matthew Gee, Percy Heath Philly Joe Jones, Laurie Tateand Faye Adams. On the strength of his Blues Cavalcade one of the first self-contained, touring R&B package shows, Morris had several hits including Any Time, Any Place, Anywhere and Don't Take Your Love From Me on Atlantic and, most notably, Shake A Hand and I'll Be True on Herald.