1. James G Aton, best known as Jim Aton or Jimmy Aton, was an American jazz bassist, pianist, vocalist and composer.
19 Facts About Jim Aton
1. 2.
Jim Aton worked with numerous notable artists including Billie Holiday, Anita O'Day and Bill Evans.
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Jim Aton's father owned a music store there, and he studied violin and piano while attending the Sioux City public schools.
4.
Jim Aton began performing on string bass in local jazz combos during this period, including a combo led by legendary Kansas City expatriate trumpet player and bandleader Clarence Kenner.
5.
Jim Aton moved to Chicago in 1949 to become a full-time professional player.
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Jim Aton won high praise in Downbeat Magazine during the tour and was even compared by a Downbeat reviewer to Jazz bass giant Ray Brown for his talents on the instrument.
7.
Jim Aton subsequently was a member of the bass section of the Chicago Civic Orchestra for one year, playing alongside an up-and-coming Richard Davis.
8.
In 1955, Jim Aton moved to Los Angeles on the recommendation of fellow bassist and Sioux Cityan John Mosher.
9.
Jim Aton was working Hollywood clubs with small combos and then joined the Glenn Miller band, then under the direction of Miller's arranger Jerry Gray, and with whom Jim Aton made his first commercial recording.
10.
Jim Aton joined Bobby Troup in 1956 and he subsequently appeared with the Bobby Troup Trio and Quintet, as well as with pianist Bill Austin and drummer Stan Levey on episodes of the popular ABC television series The Stars of Jazz.
11.
Jim Aton departed the quintet to become a staff bassist at Gold Star Records, where he joined some of the most talented session players in the business.
12.
Jim Aton recorded un-credited on hundreds of radio and TV commercial jingles as well as sessions backing a string of pop singers and he doubled on piano on various studio sessions.
13.
In 1959, Jim Aton joined pianist-singer Nancy Malcom, guitarist Al Viola and drummer Mel Lewis on the critically acclaimed RCA-Camden LP, The West Coast of Broadway.
14.
In 1960, Jim Aton recorded on the Monument label with pianist-singer Charles Cochrane on Cochrane's first LP, I Sing, I Play, I'm Charlie Cochrane.
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Thereafter Jim Aton collaborated with Cochrane composing songs while Jim Aton formally studied music composition.
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Meanwhile, Jim Aton's composition work was rewarded when pop singer Debbie Reynolds recorded his song, "Love Is A Thing" as a novelty number on one of her LPs.
17.
In 1969, Jim Aton relocated to Reno where he led a six-piece band at Harrah's Casino that at various times included either Pete Candoli or Conte Candoli on trumpet and saxophonist Med Flory.
18.
In 1972, Jim Aton settled in Lake Tahoe, where he worked a multi-year casino engagement playing organ in the Earl Hines Quartet, and as a first-call bassist for numerous shows in the Reno-Tahoe area.
19.
Jim Aton continued to work as a single or with a trio until just three months before his death in September 2008.