Lorenzo Flennoy

Lorenzo Flennoy (June 26, 1910—October 4, 1971) was an American pianist and bandleader of jump blues and rhythm & blues. He was an in-demand musician in the Los Angeles music scene who was active from the mid-1930s until his death in 1971.

Lorenzo headed a number of groups, ranging from small trios to big bands consisting of up to eleven members. He played with many famed musicians of the time, including Jack McVea, Don Byas, Chico Hamilton, Bill Douglass, Buddy Collette, Charles Mingus, Mabel Scott, Oscar Lee Bradley, T-Bone Walker, Elijah "Buddy" Harper, and Red Mack.

Early life and education

Lorenzo Flennoy was born Lorenzo Orlando Flennoy in Los Angeles, California, on June 26, 1910, to Ollie E. Flennoy and Lenna Cox. He had a younger brother, Otis Flennoy (born September 6, 1912), also a musician (drummer).

Lorenzo attended Jefferson High School in Los Angeles, California. In 1926-27, he took piano lessons at W. T. Wilkins Piano Academy in Los Angeles.

Lorenzo was a childhood friend of famed saxophonist and clarinetist Marshall Royal.

Career

Lorenzo began his music career in 1931 in Los Angeles with Charlie Echols and his Ebony Serenaders at Savoy Ballroom in Los Angeles, alongside Babe Carter, Herman Pettis, Lawrence Brown, Red Mack, and Peppy Prince. He was with Echols' band for three years.

After his engagement with Echols, Lorenzo formed a big band that played at Curtis Mosby's Club Alabam on Central Avenue in Los Angeles. At various times, he headed groups of five to eleven, including:

• trumpeters: Teddy Buckner, Dootsie Williams, McClure "Red Mack" Morris, Raymond Tate, Calvin Temple
• saxophonists: Jack McVea, Oliver Reeves, Mike Walker, Kirtland Bradford
• trombonists: Bert Johnson (trombone, brother of singer Cee Pee Johnson)
• drummers: Oscar Lee Bradley
• bassists: Red Callender, Vernon Gower
• guitarists: Gene Phillips, Elijah "Buddy" Harper (uncle of child singer Toni Harper)

Around that time, Lorenzo's orchestra, sometimes also billed as Lorenzo Flennoy & His Harlem Maniacs, Harlemaniacs, or just Maniacs, did a series of radio shows on Los Angeles' KMTR radio station. On August 21, 1935, the Harlem Maniacs played for the Beau Brummels Club at the Club Alabam.

On November 15, 1935, Lorenzo's band played at the fifth-anniversary celebration of the Club Alabam. Other performers included Dickie Walker, Johnnie Taylor, Ernestine Porter, Bette Treadville, Lillian Randolph, and Eddie "Rochester" Anderson (of The Jack Benny Program.)

In the early 1940s, Lorenzo played piano in trumpeter Dootsie Williams and His Novelty Band alongside George Reed (drums and vocals) and Joe Lewis (guitar) in Los Angeles.

In 1943, Lorenzo was the house pianist at the Casablanca Breakfast Club in Los Angeles, with T-Bone Walker headlining once. Shortly after that, he formed his own Lorenzo Flennoy Trio. Later that year, the Trio made its first appearance with guitarist Gene Phillips and bassist Robert Lewis. At various times, the trio members also included Jimmie Edwards, guitarist Leonard "Lucky" Enois, singer Joyce Bryant, guitarist Roy Hayes, and bassist Winston Williams.

On January 19, 1944, Lorenzo Flennoy Trio played for "Sweet 'N Hot" revue at the Mayan Theater in Los Angeles. Music for the revue was composed by Otis Rene with lyrics by Joe Greene. Other performers included: Dorothy Dandridge, Vivian Dandridge, Mabel Scott, Edith Wilson, Leonard Reed, Olivette Miller, Freddie Gordon, Anise Boyer, Marie Bryant, Archie Savage, Bob Parrish, and Juanita Boisseau.

In 1945, the Trio made a few recordings on Melodisc and Excelsior Records.

• Hey Lawdy Mama (Melodisc)
• My Honey Chile (Melodisc)
• The Induction Blues (with Dan Grissom, Melodisc)
• Cherry (Melodisc)
• Poor Butterfly (Melodisc)
• I'll Be True (Excelsior Records)
• Somebody's Got To Go, Mr. Jones (Excelsior Records)
• Now That You Know (Excelsior Records)
• My Love (Excelsior Records)
• That's The Wrong Gal, Brother (with Big Joe Turner, Excelsior Records)
• Ooo-Ouch-Stop (with Big Joe Turner, Excelsior Records)
• I Don't Dig It (with Big Joe Turner, Excelsior Records)
• T-W-Boogie (Excelsior Records)
• I Ain't Mad At You Pretty Baby (Excelsior Records)

On April 30, 1946, the Flennoy Trio was part of a Midnight Benefit Jamboree at the Club Alabam. Other performers included: Wild Bill Moore, Lester Young, Lee Young, The Four Step Brothers, Nat King Cole, Johnny Otis, Jimmy Smith, Harry "The Hipster" Gibson, Slim Gaillard, and Maggie Mae Hathaway.

In late 1947, the Flennoy Trio played at the Last Word nightclub in Los Angeles, Swannee Inn in Hollywood, and Player's Club in San Francisco. In September of 1948, his band performed at the Club Congo with Smiley Turner and Big Joe Turner.

In 1950, Lorenzo co-wrote a doo-wop ballad "Let It Rain" with Maxie Thrower and Henry Glover.

In early 1951, the Flennoy Trio played in Mexico. The following year, they were back at Club Alabam and played alongside Billie Holiday and Josephine Baker.

In March 1953, Lorenzo with saxophonist Joe Houston and drummer Monk McFayplayed with T-Bone Walker at the grand opening of the Strollers Club in Long Beach, California.

In 1955, Lorenzo went solo and played at Dynamite's Cocktail Lounge, Clark Hotel, and Marty's Cocktail Lounge in Los Angeles. In April 1959, he played at a press dinner for the California Eagle newspaper alongside singer Jean Sampson, pianist Eddie Beal, singer Dickie Barrow, and comedian Leroy Daniels.

In early 1961, Lorenzo led a group with drummer Oscar Lee Bradley, tenor saxophonist Floyd Turnham, and bassist Victor Mio. Later that year, he performed regularly at Caribbean Lounge in Los Angeles.

In 1970, the Flennoy Trio with saxophonist Floyd Turnham and drummer George Reed played at Elks Club in Santa Ana. They also recorded "Here's Looking At You" and "Slight Case Of The Blues" for Nova.

Personal life

Lorenzo was married twice. In 1941, he married Ruth. They separated in 1943 and officially divorced in 1957. On November 17, 1957, he married Ruby Conley in Las Vegas.

Death

Flennoy died in Los Angeles, California, on October 4, 1971, at age 61.