Billy Eckstine

Billy Eckstine on vinyl: Mr. B and the baritone

In short: In the forties, Billy Eckstine (1914–1993) from Pittsburgh led a big band regarded as one of the pioneering big bands of early bebop – with musicians such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Sarah Vaughan. After that he became a star as a ballad singer with a velvety baritone. He was known as “Mr. B”. The Vinyl Room currently has 7 Billy Eckstine records.

What makes Billy Eckstine special?

Eckstine’s voice was deep, warm and elegant – it is regarded as a model for many later singers. On “Sing The Best Of Irving Berlin” he sings duets with Sarah Vaughan, who had previously sung in his big band.

In the sixties he recorded for Motown, for example “The Prime Of My Life”, plus “For Love Of Ivy” with the title song of the film of the same name. In the seventies came “Stormy” and “If She Walked Into My Life” on the Stax label Enterprise.

From our stock

First pressings

Records by Billy Eckstine

→ Sarah Vaughan · Motown · Enterprise · Vocal

FAQ

Why is Billy Eckstine called “Mr. B”? That is what fans and colleagues called him – “Mr. B” became his trademark.

What does Billy Eckstine have to do with bebop? His forties big band is regarded as one of the pioneering bands of early bebop, with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie.

Did he record with Sarah Vaughan? Yes, for example “Sing The Best Of Irving Berlin”.

Which records do you have? Editions from the fifties to the seventies – 7 records in all.