Wynton Kelly

Wynton Charles Kelly was an American jazz pianist and composer. He is known for his lively, blues-based playing and as one of the finest accompanists in jazz. He began playing professionally at the age of 12 and was pianist on a No. 1 R&B hit at the age of 16. His recording debut as a leader occurred three years later, around the time he started to become better known as an accompanist to singer Dinah Washington, and as a member of trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie's band. This progress was interrupted by two years in the United States Army, after which Kelly worked again with Washington and Gillespie, and played with other leaders. Over the next few years, these included instrumentalists Cannonball Adderley, John Coltrane, Hank Mobley, Wes Montgomery, and Sonny Rollins, and vocalists Betty Carter, Billie Holiday, and Abbey Lincoln.

2 December 1931

Born on the same birth date (2 December 1931): Edwin Meese • Gareth Wigan • Masaaki Hatsumi • Nigel Calder

Born on the same birth day (2 December): Cassie Steele • Cathy Lee Crosby • Erima Northcroft • Jaime Durán • Julie Harris • Mark Kotsay • Matteo Darmian • Raimundo Orsi • Tommy Jenkins • Wilson Jermaine Heredia

Born in the same month (December 1931): Alex Delvecchio • Allen Klein • Bob Arum • Carlos Graça • Cliff Hagan • Dave Madden • Ernie Beck • George Maxwell Richards • Guy Debord • James McGaugh • Klaus Rifbjerg • Ladislav Novák • Ladislav Smoljak • Mala Powers • Martin Milner • Mauricio Kagel • William Reynolds (actor) • Zeki Müren