Jess Stacy Transcriptions

Biography of Jess Stacy

Jess Stacy was an American jazz pianist who gained prominence during the swing era, best known for his pivotal tenure with the Benny Goodman orchestra. His most celebrated moment was an entirely improvised, impressionistic solo during Goodman's 1938 Carnegie Hall performance of "Sing, Sing, Sing," which created an unexpected, lyrical contrast to the tune's bombastic arrangement and is considered one of jazz's most famous piano moments. After leaving Goodman, he played with Bob Crosby's orchestra, won the DownBeat magazine piano poll in 1940, experienced a later career decline into retirement, but was rediscovered in the 1970s, playing at the Newport Jazz Festival and recording new albums before his death.