Eddie Lee McFadden (August 6, 1928 – September 23, 1992) was a jazz guitarist. He played in Philadelphia clubs from the 1950s and was in organist Jimmy Smith's band for several recordings in 1957–58. He then recorded several albums with another organist – Johnny "Hammond" Smith – during the period 1960–63, and one more in 1966. McFadden made two further sideman appearances on albums in the late 1970s.
Early life McFadden was born on August 6, 1928.Vail, Ken (1993) Jazz Milestones: A Pictorial Chronicle of Jazz 1900–1990. Castle Communications. p. 36. His mother was Mary McFadden. As a small child, he tried the piano, but later settled on guitar. He had military service, after which he concentrated on jazz guitar.Heine, Kurt (September 28, 1992) "Eddie Lee Mcfadden; Noted Jazz Guitarist". The Philadelphia Inquirer. philly.com.
Career McFadden played in music clubs in Philadelphia from the 1950s. He recorded with organist Jimmy Smith as part of a trio and sextet in February 1957, resulting in the albums A Date with Jimmy Smith Volume One and A Date with Jimmy Smith Volume Two.Yanow, Scott "Jimmy Smith – A Date with Jimmy Smith, Vol. 1". AllMusic. Retrieved September 3, 2017.Yanow, Scott "Jimmy Smith – A Date with Jimmy Smith, Vol. 2". AllMusic. Retrieved September 3, 2017. Several more albums resulted from their collaborations, lasting into 1958. McFadden continued performing with Smith in a trio with drummer Donald Bailey, including at the Hurricane club in Pittsburgh for several weeks during 1958."Incredible Jimmy Smith at Hurricane Next Week!" (January 4, 1958). Pittsburgh Courier. p. A15."Jimmy Smith Still Kicking at Hurricane" (June 14, 1958). Pittsburgh Courier. p. A17."Jimmy Smith Closes at Hurricane Saturday" (November 22, 1958). Pittsburgh Courier. p. 15.
McFadden recorded with Johnny "Hammond" Smith on the organist's Gettin' the Message in 1960.Keith, Harold L. (May 19, 1962) "Data 'bout Discs". p. 18."Prestige Records Catalog: 7200 Series". jazzdisco.org. Retrieved September 2, 2017. McFadden appeared on several more albums under Smith's name up to Open House! in 1963."Prestige Records Catalog: 400 Series". jazzdisco.org. Retrieved September 17, 2017. A further album – The Stinger Meets the Golden Thrush – from 1966"Prestige Records Catalog: 7400 Series". jazzdisco.org. Retrieved September 17, 2017. appears to have been the last time that the guitarist recorded with Smith.
In November 1967, the "Al Grey & Eddie McFadden Quartet" was advertised as playing at Count Basie's Lounge in New York."New York's Top Spots Offer Dining, Dancing and Entertainment" (November 18, 1967). New York Amsterdam News p. 19. In 1977, McFadden recorded again, for Sonny Phillips' I Concentrate on You."Sonny Phillips Discography". jazzdisco.org. Retrieved September 17, 2017. McFadden recorded with another organist – Don Patterson – in the following year, resulting in the album Why Not....Patterson, Don "Why Not..." (LP liner notes). Muse Records. MR 5148.
McFadden also wrote music for some of his bands. In September 1992, McFadden played at the White Horse Lounge on Lancaster Avenue in Philadelphia. He died on September 23 that year.
Discography
As sideman With Don Patterson Why Not... (1978)
With Sonny Phillips I Concentrate on You (1977)
With Jimmy Smith A Date with Jimmy Smith Volume One (1957) A Date with Jimmy Smith Volume Two (1957) Jimmy Smith at the Organ, Vol. 2 (1957) The Sounds of Jimmy Smith (1957) Plays Pretty Just for You (1957) Jimmy Smith Trio + LD (1957) Groovin at Smalls' Paradise, Vol. 1 (1957) Groovin at Smalls' Paradise, Vol. 2 (1957) The Sermon! (1957) House Party (1957–58) Softly as a Summer Breeze (1958) Cool Blues (1958)
With Johnny "Hammond" Smith Gettin' the Message (1960) Stimulation (1961) Opus De Funk (1961) Johnny "Hammond" Cooks with Gator Tail (1962) Black Coffee (1962) Mr. Wonderful (1963) Open House! (1963) The Stinger Meets the Golden Thrush (1966)
References