Song:The Deacon's Hop
Album:The Deacon, Unabridged Vol. 1: 1948-1950
Big Jay McNeely is known as the King Of The Honking Tenor Sax. The Deacon's Hop is his signature song and topped the R & B singles chart in 1949. And the great thing is that McNeely is still honking today. He was born Cecil James McNeely Apr. 29, 1927 in Los Angeles and grew up with his older brother Bob hanging around the bustling jazz scene on Central Avenue. McNeely was influenced by Illinois Jacquet who invented the honking sax solo. The brothers became friends with Johnny Otis and he introduced them to Savoy Records A & R man Ralph Bass and he signed them to a contract. Cecil played tenor sax and Bob played baritone sax. Savoy Records owner Herman Lubinsky changed his name to Big Jay McNeely because he didn't think Cecil sounded commercial. The instrumental The Deacon's Hop topped the R & B charts in 1949 and the follow up Wild Wig also charted. McNeely is also known for his crazy antics on stage including playing a glowing sax. As you'll see in the video, he's a very entertaining guy. In the 50s, McNeely recorded for Exclusive, Imperial, Federal, VeeJay and he had a hit in 1958 with the bluesy There Is Something On Your Mind on Los Angeles DJ Hunter Hancock's Swingin' label. He even recorded a live album for Warner Bros. in 1963. Swingin' Records is now owned by musician Mark Tortorici and that's where you can get McNeely's original recordings. Big Jay McNeely's career faded in the 60s and he retired to become a postman in 1971. He picked up his sax again in the 80s and has toured ever since. He last recorded in 2007. Here's Big Jay McNeely with Detroit Gary Wiggins performing The Deacon's Hop. It doesn't give a location or date but it sure looks like a lot of fun.
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