Norman Sarney Simmons

life story

Jazz Pianist, Composer, Educator, Friend, Father

Norman Simmons, born in Chicago, IL, was the son of Blanche and Sarney Simmons. Both his parents were from the south and migrated from the New Orleans area to Chicago, IL. Norman was the eldest of three children. Norman, his sister Jean and younger brother Roy.

A Life Filled with Teaching, Composing, and playing Piano alongside Jazz Legends

Norman Simmons, was born Norman Sarney Simmons, on October 6, 1929, two weeks after the first Stock Market Crash. He survived everything from the Great Depression, to the Covid-19 Pandemic. When he was young, everyone called him "Billy." Norman began playing piano early in life, circa age 11 and attended Wendell Phillips High School for the Arts in Chicago. He got a job working for Time, Inc. in the mail room, and played gigs at night and on the weekends. After a year with Time, Inc., his boss told him he wouldn't get a promotion because his life was meant for Artistry. When the mailroom wasn't busy, his boss encouraged him to sit at the typewriter and write prose and poetry. He quit the mailroom job at the age of 19 and was a professional piano player, Arranger and Musical Director and Composer for the rest of his life.

Norman started his first jazz trio with bassist Victor Sproles and drummer Vernell Fournier. Victor Sproles recommended Norman to become house pianist at the Beehive with Victor and Vernel. Norman married at the age of 19, to Betty Sparrow, and had one daughter, Deborah, who was born in New York City. Norman, his wife and Deborah, lived in the Bronx and Norman got his first gig in New York traveling with Dakota Staton. He then was hired as Betty Carter's piano player to lead her very first trio. Norman went on to play and record with Anita O'Day, Helen Humes, Carrie Smith, Billy Holiday, Carole Sloane, Mark Murphy and captured long-standing tenures as pianist and musical director with Carmen McRae (8+ years) and Joe Williams (18+ years). While touring and recording with Carmen, Norman was the Arranger on (name of albums) and composed "If You Could Love Me" which Carmen McRae recorded on her album Bittersweet. He left Carmen McRae's group and was hired to play piano and Arrange the highly acclaimed Johnny Griffith recording "The Big Soul Band." He was hired by Riverside Records in New York City to be a full time composer and arranger for their artists roster. Riverside was managing Woody Herman and Norman was asked to arrange for Woody's big band. Woody ultimately rejected the arrangements and left Riverside. Norman Simmons was a adjunct professor at William Patterson College in Wayne, NJ. He recorded 8 albums/cds as a leader as well as wrote over 50+ original compositions. He had his own Publishing Company (Milljac Publishing) and has many compositions currently published by Don Sickler and 2nd Floor Publishing. Norman mentored many musicians and singers, both on the University Level (at William Patterson, The New School in NYC, and JazzMobile) and privately. Norman was a sideman for many legendary jazz artists and has a long discography https://www.allmusic.com/artist/norman-simmons-mn0000884894/discography.

When COVID 19 hit in early 2020, Norman was fighting the cancer battle and remained with Sheila Earley, his partner, in Arizona until the end of his life. Norman was an avid golfer, tennis player, and loved all Sports. He lived a life in Jazz and also loved Classical Music and Opera. He has written and recorded a number of books and audio books. He will long be remembered as one of the legends of jazz for his skill at accompanying singers, for which he always gave credit, in part, to Carmen McRae. He used to say that since she played piano, and knew how to accompany herself, it was a great musical education touring with her. Norman will be remembered for not only his musical genius, but his no nonsense directness, sense of humor, and as a kind and generous friend who gave of his time and talents to help those who were lucky enough to share the music with him. Norman used to talk about being "in the middle of the magic" which he characterized as soaking in the wonderment of life with all of nature, music, and love around him.