Junior Mance
b. Julian Clifford Mance, Jnr., 10 October 1928, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Taught piano by his father, a professional jazz musician, Mance was playing professionally long before he entered his teenage. In the late '40s, still in his teens, he joined a band led by Gene Ammons and in 1950 worked with Lester Young. After military service he became a resident at a Chicago jazz club before becoming Dinah Washington's accompanist. In the mid-60s he played with Cannonballand Nat Adderley, whom he had first met in an army band, then joined Dizzy Gillespie. By the early '60s, Mance had decided on a career as leader and from then onwards worked clubs throughout the USA. Although primarily known for his work in bop and post-bop groups, Mance's playing reveals echoes of his father's early instruction which drew heavily upon the blues piano tradition. A gifted player with a fluent technique and subtle touch, Mance's reputation worldwide is somewhat leass than his talent deserves.