MUSIC CORNER
By Ron Eldridge
When a person has 2,272,100,544 + seconds
of anything, it’s worthy of a mention in the
Guinness World Book of Records! Here’s a
glance at one of the world’s most prolific conductors,
arrangers, composers, educators and
musical accompaniments – Mr. Norman
“Straight Ahead” Simmons.
Hailing from the Windy City of Chicago where Mr.
Simmons established his indelible musical reputation, he
played with the great jazz icon Charlie Bird Parker during
his last gig in the Windy City. Mr. Simmons is the only
surviving member of that gig.
The major change in music for him came after the demise
of such greats as Joe Williams, Carmen McRea, Betty
Carter, Sarah Vaughn, Anita O’Day, Hellen Humes,
Dakota Staton and a plethora of others for whom he has
accompanied, composed and arranged. Here’s a fun fact:
The popular song “Wade in the Water” that garnered
Ramsey Lewis commercial fame in 1965 – it was Mr.
Simmons' arrangement for Johnny Griffin back in 1959
that was used, making Simmons’ behind-the-scene mark.
Currently Mr. Simmons is self-publishing his writings in
several books. His latest are: “Jazz Vocals Icons Yesterday
& Tomorrow,” “My Piano,” a book for beginners, and
others that are in the works. He also continues to coach,
tutor and educate students worldwide. As a former adjunct
professor at William Patterson State in New Jersey,
Norman “Straight
Ahead” Simmons
2.2 + Billion
Seconds in
Jazz &
Counting!
Mr. Simmons caught the attention of Winston-Salem’s
own vocal stylist Diana Tuffin.
Mr. “Straight Ahead” continues to grace the stages at Jazz
festivals and Hot Jazz venues worldwide. When asked
what drives and excites a person who has accumulated
2.2+ billion seconds in Jazz, he replied, “Every program,
project and show, no matter the size, excites me to this day!”
When I inquired as to who it was that sparked Mr.
Simmons’ jazz palette, the name Duke Ellington came
up. “Straight Ahead” was living on the third story of a flat
and the guy on the second floor was a lover of jazz. All he
did was blast Duke’s music, and that started it for
Simmons. Later on in his musical journey, Mr. Simmons
performed and recorded with the Edward Ellington Big
Band (Duke’s Grandson).
There is so much wisdom and knowledge inside this
man’s mind that it is amazing what flows through his
thoughts. Mr. Simmons’ outlook about the piano keys
that he has been stroking for over 2.2+ billion seconds is
such: “The keys are like a jungle, and making sense of the
keys is very therapeutic, not only for the listener, but for
the artist alike.”
If you wish to learn more about Mr. Simmons, email him
at normangigs@optonline.net. He would be happy to
hear from you!
Ron Big “E” Eldridge is a Winston-Salem resident and freelance
writer who frequently pens a Music Corner column
about the local jazz and music scene.
December 2017 www.ForSeniorsOnlyWS.com 19