Jean Kittrell

Jean Kittrell has long been both a confident vocalist inspired by Bessie Smith and an excellent stride and swing pianist. She played piano as a youth in church where she also used to sing hymns solo. Kittrell majored in music theory at Blue Mountain College in Mississippi. However she did not start her career as a jazz performer until she was 30 in 1957. She began by accompanying her husband trumpeter Ed Kittrell. They organized and led the Chesapeake Bay Jass Band in Norfolk, VA. Kittrell also began to sing during this era. In 1958, the Kittrells moved to Chicago where they became members of the Chicago Stompers. They toured Germany in 1959. She mostly played locally through the years, performing as a solo singer-pianist on the St. Louis waterfront at the Old Levee House during 1967-1969. Kittrell has also had an important career as an educator. She earned a PhD in 20th century British Literature at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in 1973 and taught at SIU-Edwardsville for ten years. She has balanced her two careers, teaching at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville for 25 years while playing weekends aboard the Lt. Robert E. Lee Restaurant and Saloon in St. Louis. During 1972-1974 Jean Kittrell worked and recorded with the Mississippi Mudcats Jazz Band and the Boll Weevil Jass Band. Since the mid-'70s she has led three separate bands: the Jazz Incredibles, the St. Louis Rivermen and the OSLLB (Old St. Louis Levee Band). Kittrell has performed extensively in the Midwest at concerts, festivals, and on cruises. She recorded with clarinetist Tony Parenti (a set of Bessie Smith songs in 1967) and performed with Johnny Wiggs, Danny Barker, Doc Evans, George Brunies and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. In addition to her work for private labels, she has recorded for Jazzology, GHB, and Fat Cat's Jazz. ~ Scott Yanow