Music & Culture

Jeannie Cheatham On Piano Jazz

Jeannie Cheatham, pictured here with her husband, bass trombonist Jimmy Cheatham, joined Marian McPartland for this 1989 episode of Piano Jazz.
Jeannie Cheatham, pictured here with her husband, bass trombonist Jimmy Cheatham, joined Marian McPartland for this 1989 episode of Piano Jazz. Courtesy of the artist

Pianist and vocalist Jeannie Cheatham began piano lessons at the tender age of 5. At 13, she became intoxicated by the sounds of jazz. Cheatham toured with such blues artists as Jimmy Witherspoon, T-Bone Walker, Odetta and Big Mama Thornton. In the 1950s she met her husband, bass trombonist Jimmy Cheatham, and the pair formed the Sweet Baby Blues Band.

On this 1989 Piano Jazz, Cheatham solos on "Finance Company Blues" and "Midnight Mama." Marian McPartland and Cheatham join forces for a swinging duet on "Perdido."

Originally broadcast in the spring of 1989.

Set List

  • "Finance Company Blues" (Cheatham, Cheatham)

  • "How Long Blues" (Carr, Williams)

  • "Summertime" (Gershwin, Gershwin, Heyward)

  • "Perdido" (Drake, Lengsfelder, Tizol)

  • "Midnight Mama" (Cheatham, Cheatham)

  • "Little Girl Musician"/"Am I Blue" (Gershwin, Akst, Clarke)

  • "What's Your Story Morning Glory" (Lawrence, Webster, Williams)

  • "Roll 'Em Pete" (Johnson, Turner)

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