Jimmy Grissom

Jimmy Grissom (April 10, 1928-January 18, 1975) was an American jazz and rhythm-and-blues singer who worked with Duke Ellington Orchestra and Caughey Roberts, among others.

He was the nephew of singer/clarinetist/saxophonist Dan Grissom (February 4, 1911—March 3, 1963) who worked with Jimmie Lunceford, Lorenzo Flennoy, and Gerald Wilson.

Jimmy Grissom was born Obie Vernon Scott in Leland, Mississippi, on April 10, 1928.

After his mother died when he was 12, Obie moved to Los Angeles, California, to live with his musician uncle Dan Grissom who was working for Jimmie Luncefordand His Orchestra. Dan's sister, Thelma (Grissom) Jackson, was a singer with pianist Fletcher Henderson's band.

Following in his uncle and aunt's footsteps, Obie changed his name to Jimmy Grissom and began playing music.

In the mid-1940s, Grissom formed a group named The Blenders with songwriter Billy Austin, saxophonist Caughey Roberts, and pianist T. B. Watson. In 1947, they recorded on Miltone Records "I'll Miss You" (with Roy Milton & His Solid Senders), "Answer To R.M. Blues" (co-written by Benny Powell) and "It's Been So Long" (written by Effie Smith). His first hit was "Christmas Brings Me Down" which he recorded in 1948.

In 1949, he recorded "Just Got Back" and "Rocky Mountain Blues" with Buddy Floyd's Orchestra. 1951 saw the release of "Once There Lived A Fool" (written by Jessie Mae Robinson) and "I'll Still Keep Loving You" (written by Ted Mossman). "Once There Lived A Fool" reached # 143 on the R&B charts. The following year, he recorded "So Help Me I Love You" with music by Red Callender.

In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Grissom played clubs in the Las Vegas and Los Angeles area and also toured the country with his combo of tenor saxophonist Chuck Waller, pianist Willard McDaniel, bassist Reginald Jones, and drummer Bob Harvey. On one of his tours, he was spotted by bandleader Duke Ellington when Grissom's group was playing at a Texas supper club. Impressed by Grissom, Ellington later recruited him to his orchestra.

In 1952, Grissom sang in Duke Ellington And His Famous Orchestra at a concert. In 1953, he sang "Without a Song", a track originally written by Edward Eliscu, Fred Rose, and Vincent Youmans for Harry Beaumont and Harry Pollard's unfinished 1929 movie Great Day. In 1954, he provided vocals on "Blue Moon". Other notable songs he sang for Ellington include "The Vulture Song" (Columbia Records - 39942), "Follow Me" (Columbia Records - 39961), "What More Can I Say", "I'm Just A Lucky So And So", and "Vagabonds".

In 1953, Grissom performed with Ellington at a Pasadena Concert.

In April of 1955, Grissom recorded "I Had To Find Out For Myself", a Leon Rene composition, and "Listen Pretty Baby" for the Los Angeles-based Cash label.

In 1956, Grissom performed with Ellington at the Newport Jazz Festival alongside

• Trumpet: Cat Anderson, Willie Cook, Ray Nance, Clark Terry
• Trombone: Quentin Jackson, Lawrence Brown, John Sanders, Britt Woodman
• Saxophone: Johnny Hodges, Russell Procope, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney
• Clarinet: Jimmy Hamilton
• Double bass: Jimmy Woode
• Bass: Al Lucas
• Drums: Sam Woodyard

In 1958, Grissom sang "Tenderly" for Ellington's trio Indigos with pianist Billy Strayhorn and alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges.

Grissom continued to perform until his retirement in 1965.

Grissom died on January 18, 1975, at age 46.