* En anglais uniquement
Although
Eddie Preston is best known for his stints with
Charles Mingus,
Preston never became too famous. He played with local big bands as early as 1945, and then worked with
Lionel Hampton from 1955-56,
Ray Charles in 1959, Louis Jordan from 1960-61 and briefly with
Duke Ellington in 1962 and
Count Basie in 1963.
Preston was with
Mingus on and off from 1963-65. After a period freelancing, including time with
Sonny Stitt and
Frank Foster,
Preston was back with
Mingus from 1970-72, taking time off for a second period with Ellington in 1971. After the
Mingus association ended,
Preston often led his own groups, although he had opportunities to work with
Rahsaan Roland Kirk in 1977 and
Archie Shepp in 1979. Although not a major improviser,
Preston (who has not yet headed a recording session of his own) always had an appealing tone and a versatile style. ~ Scott Yanow