Pianist Norman Simmons is a consummate musician, best known for his ability to connect with jazz singers like Carmen McRae, Anita O'Day, and Joe Williams. Much more than just an accompanist, Simmons is an extremely accomplished soloist, arranger, composer and educator.

Born in Chicago in 1929, Simmons' childhood was filled with the sound of the big band era in full bloom. In particular, he was captivated by Duke Ellington Orchestra broadcasts coming over a neighbor's radio.

He started teaching himself at the family piano, but recalls that his playing and foot-stomping to keep time weren't very well received by the downstairs neighbors. Undeterred, Simmons progressed quickly. At age 16, he enrolled in the Chicago School of Music, where he completed his studies in four years.
A motivated young musician, Simmons formed his own group in 1949 and began recording in 1952. His composition "Jan" was a hit for tenor saxophonist Paul Bascomb in 1953.Simmons kept a steady gig leading the house trio at Chicago's hottest jazz club, The Beehive, where his group would back touring greats like saxophonists Wardell Gray, Lester Young and Charlie Parker. Later, after leading a nonet at the C & C Lounge, Simmons began accompanying jazz singers in 1958 and quickly earned a reputation as an exceptional accompanist.

Simmons was highly sought after by touring vocalists, and one, Ernestine Anderson, convinced him to move to New York to continue working with her. Simmons also began playing with tenor saxophonists Johnny Griffin and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis. He wrote intricate arrangements for Griffin's band, resulting in soulful, swinging recordings, including the classic album The Big Soul Band.

In 1960, Davis recommended Simmons to vocalist Carmen McRae , who had a reputation for being extremely demanding of accompanists. But the skilled and versatile pianist exceeded McRae's high expectations and they spent the next nine years performing and recording together.

In 1969, Simmons decided to pursue new musical avenues with other vocalists. With Betty Carter and Anita O'Day, he found greater freedom to improvise and his soloing prowess crystallized. In 1979, he began his long-standing collaboration with singer Joe Williams.

Williams and Simmons shared a simpatico that's in the league of Ornette Coleman and Don Cherry, Ella Fitzgerald and Tommy Flanagan, and Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. It can be heard throughout their music, especially on on songs like "You Can Depend on Me."
Simmons' ability to challenge himself and other musicians carries over into his work as an educator. He has taught at Paterson State College in New Jersey since 1982 and also participated in the Jazzmobile program for 20 years, fostering music education at New York's public schools. Simmons' dedication to his students is equal to his commitment to jazz itself.

Simmons insists he enjoys helping others excel, "I always get a lot of satisfaction knowing that I pushed someone up to the skies." No doubt, his contributions provide even greater satisfaction to jazz musicians, students and audiences everywhere. exerpted from" Norman Simmons Profile" @ NPR.com
DISCOGRAPHY
As A Pianist
Title
Artist
Record Label
Ms Soul
Dakota Staton
Groove Merchant
Country Man
Dakota Staton
Groove Merchant
Ballads and Blues
Dakota Staton
Capitol
Dakota Dakota
Dakota Staton
Capitol
Scott's Band In New York
Scott Hamilton
Concord
Skyscrapers
Scott Hamilton
Concord
Finally
Betty Carter
Roulette
Betty Carter
Betty Carter
Bet-Car
What's It All About?
Roy Eldridge
Pablo
Carmen McRae
Carmen McRae
Mainstream
Live And Doin' It
Carmen McRae
Mainstream
Live At Sugar Hill
Carmen McRae
Time
Second To None
Carmen McRae
Mainstream
Haven't We Met?
Carmen McRae
Mainstream
Portrait Of Carmen
Carmen McRae
Atlantic
Sound Of Silence
Carmen McRae
Atlantic
Live And Wailing
Carmen McRae
Mainstream
Live At Mingo's
Anita O'Day
Trio Records
Live At The City
Anita O'Day
Emily
Junko At Stonyville
Junko Mine
Trio Records
The People's Groove
Harold Ousley
Muse
Live At Pluckeman
Harlem One More Time
Harlem One More Time
The Three Pearls
Chris Conner, Carol Sloane
& Ernestine Anderson
Toshiba EMI
I Just Want To Sing
Joe Williams
Delos
Every Night
Joe Williams
Verve Polygram
In Good Company
Joe Williams
Verve Polygram
The Viking
Harold Ashby
Gemini
As a Pianist, Composer & Arranger
Title
Artist
Record Label
Battle Stations
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis
Prestige
The Great City
Joe Lee Wilson
Powertree
Spectrum
Les DeMerle
United Artist
Modern Music From Chicago
Red Rodney
Fantasy
Bitter Sweet
Carmen McRae
Focus
"Jan"(45 rpm)
Paul Bascomb
Parrot
Red Soul
Red Holloway
Prestige
The Foremost
Wardell Grey
Onyx
Ramira The Dancer
Norman Simmons
Spotlite
The Norman Simmons Trio
Norman Simmons
Argo
Midnight Creeper
Norman Simmons
Milljac
I'm The Blues
Norman Simmons
Milljac
Hyde Park After Dark
Norman Simmons, C. Jorden
Von Freeman, Cy Touff
Bee Hive
Al Meets Bjarne
Al Grey
Gemini
The Thirteenth Moon
Philip Harper
Muse
The Heat And The Sweet
Norman Simmons
Milljac
As a Pianist & Arranger
Title
Artist
Record Label
Dakota At Storyville
Dakota Staton
Capitol
Live At The Village Gate
Carmen McRae
Mainstream
Lover Man - Yesterdays
Carmen McRae
Columbia-Harmony
Helen
Helen Humes
Muse
Shoko Celebrates In New York City
Shoko Amano
BRC Int'l
500 Miles High
Shoko Amano
BRC Int'l
As a Composer & Arranger
Title
Artist
Record Label
Mongo Explodes
Mongo Santamaria
Columbia
Whatcha' Gonna Do Now?
Mongo Santamaria
Columbia
The BIG SOUL BAND
Johnny Griffin
Riverside Fantasy
The Little Giant
Johnny Griffin
Riverside Fantasy
As a Conductor & Arranger
Title
Artist
Record Label
Devil May Care
Terri Thornton
Riverside
While Gardenia
Johnny Griffin
Riverside