Bross Townsend

Bross Elvie Townsend Jr. (October 18, 1933 – May 12, 2003) was an American jazz and blues pianist.^[1]

Townsend was born in Princeton, Kentucky.^[1] His father was also a pianist, and started his son on the instrument at age seven.^[1] Townsend moved to Cleveland in 1951 and attended the Cleveland Institute of Music.^[1] He accompanied local singers such as Little Jimmy Scott and Wynonie Harris and played freelance from 1953 with Gene Ammons, John Coltrane, Memphis Slim, and Jimmy Reed.^[1] He made several tours of Europe.^[1]

Townsend was active in New York City from 1959 almost up until his death there in 2003; he worked with Warren Smith (in the Composer's Workshop Ensemble), Carrie Smith, Bubba Brooks, Woody Herman, Diana Ross, Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre, Arvell Shaw, in addition to performing solo.^[1] He was also a member of The 3B's, with Bob Cunningham and Bernard Purdie.^[1] Townsend went blind in the middle of the 1990s but continued to perform.^[1] He often backed vocalist Carrie Smith.^[2]

As leader/co-leader

• What a Body – Bross Townsend and his trio – GP label GBTB 5030
• 1995: I Love Jump Jazz (Claves Jazz)
• 1998: I Got Music on My Mind (BNH)

With The 3B's

• 1993: After Hours with The 3B's
• 1994: Soothin' n Groovin' with the 3B's – additional personnel: Eunice Newkirk (vocals); Donny Albano, Bucky Pizzarelli (guitar); Rob Paparozzi (harmonica); Houston Person (tenor saxophone); Fred Smith (trumpet).