James Avery Parrish (January 24, 1917 – December 10, 1959) was an American jazz pianist, composer and arranger. He wrote and recorded "After Hours". Injuries from a bar fight in 1943 ended his career as a pianist.
Early life Parrish was born in Birmingham, Alabama. His parents were Curley and Fannie G. Parrish. Avery had at least one brother, who became an educator.Lambert, Katherine Kent (November 18, 1939), "Birmingham News". The Chicago Defender, p. 10.
Parrish graduated from Parker High School in Birmingham. According to a gossip columnist in 1935, Parrish was at that time married to singer Velma Middleton.McMillan, Allan (November 16, 1935), "Hi Hattin' in Harlem". The Chicago Defender, p. 9.McMillan, Allan (July 4, 1964), "On Broadway: Private Papers of a Dawn Patroller". New Pittsburgh Courier, p. 15.
Later life Parrish studied at the Alabama State Teachers College, where he played in the Bama State Collegians, an ensemble led by Erskine Hawkins. He remained in Hawkins's employ until 1942,"'Record Man' Returns to WOR Program" (May 9, 1942), The Pittsburgh Courier, p. 20. and recorded with him extensively. Parrish wrote the music to "After Hours", and a 1940 recording of the tune with Hawkins's orchestra resulted in its becoming a jazz standard. He also wrote arrangements for Hawkins.McCarthy, Albert J. (1974), Big Band Jazz. Putnam, p. 233.
In August 1942 Parrish was injured in a car crash that killed Marcellus Green, one of Hawkins's trumpeters."Erskine Hawkins Bandsman Is Killed: Hawkins Bandsman Killed in Accident Avery Parrish, Pianist. Among Others Hurt in Auto Capsizing" (August 15, 1942), New York Amsterdam Star-News, p. 1. They were in a group of five in the vehicle, driving between Pittsburgh and Chattanooga to gigs when it overturned."Hawkins Band Member Dies in Car Crash". (August 15, 1942) The Pittsburgh Courier, p. 1. Parrish left Hawkins later that year"Rowe's Notebook" (October 17, 1942), The Pittsburgh Courier, p. 20. and moved to California. He was a commercially successful solo pianist there.Shaw, Arnold (1978), Honkers and Shouters: The Golden Years of Rhythm and Blues. Collier. p. 60. . He was involved in a bar fight in 1943"Avery Parrish, Erskine Hawkins' Swing Pianist, Is Still Alive!" (August 14, 1943), The Pittsburgh Courier, p. 20. – he was hit in the head by a bar stool – which put him in hospital for a few months."Avery Parrish Leaves Hospital" (November 6, 1943), The Pittsburgh Courier, p. 19. This left him partly paralyzed; he was unable to play music for the rest of his life.
Parrish died of unknown causes on December 10, 1959.Bruyninckx, Walter (1981), 60 Years of Recorded Jazz 1917–1977, Volume 9. W. Bruyninckx, p. 97. A contemporary report stated that he "had been found lying in Harlem streets five days before he died at the Harlem Hospital. There were no marks of violence on his body." Author and music executive Arnold Shaw stated that Parrish suffered "a fall down a flight of stairs". At the time, Parrish was living with his mother on Saint Nicholas Avenue and "working as a porter for a local bottling company." He was buried in Ferncliff Cemetery, New York."Avery Parrish Pianist Dies; Was Composer" (December 19, 1959), New York Amsterdam News, p. 38. He was survived by his mother and a brother, Julian.
In 1979, Parrish was inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.
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