27 Facts About Tommy Flanagan

Thomas Lee Flanagan was an American jazz pianist and composer.

Tommy Flanagan grew up in Detroit, initially influenced by such pianists as Art Tatum, Teddy Wilson, and Nat King Cole, and then by bebop musicians.

Tommy Flanagan worked with Fitzgerald for three years until 1965, and then in 1968 returned to be her pianist and musical director, this time for a decade.

Tommy Flanagan was born in Conant Gardens, Detroit, Michigan, on March 16,1930.

Tommy Flanagan's father, Johnson Sr, was a postman, and his mother, Ida Mae, worked in the garment industry.

At the age of six, Tommy Flanagan's parents gave him a clarinet for Christmas.

Tommy Flanagan learned to read music from playing the clarinet, but within a few years he preferred the piano.

The family had a piano in the house, and Tommy Flanagan received lessons from one of his brothers, Johnson, and Gladys Wade Dillard, who taught Kirk Lightsey and Barry Harris.

Tommy Flanagan graduated from Northern High School, which he attended with other future musicians, including saxophonist Sonny Red.

Still in his teens, Tommy Flanagan sat in on piano for some appearances by Charlie Parker in Detroit.

Tommy Flanagan then played jazz and rhythm and blues with saxophonist George Benson in Toledo, Ohio, before being drafted into the army in 1951.

Tommy Flanagan gained the role, which prevented him from being sent to the Korean War at that time; approximately a year later he was sent to Kunsan, with the war ongoing.

Tommy Flanagan again worked with Burrell, as well as Donald Byrd and Yusef Lateef, among others.

Tommy Flanagan was unsure of how long he would stay, having been persuaded to go by Burrell; the two men initially stayed with Burrell's aunt in Harlem.

Tommy Flanagan first accompanied Ella Fitzgerald in 1956, for around a month, including at the Newport Jazz Festival.

Tommy Flanagan then played with guitarist Jim Hall and bassist Percy Heath as a trio in New York.

Tommy Flanagan was looking for steadier work than was available with Hawkins, so he accepted.

Tommy Flanagan played with other bands when not required by the vocalist; these included a brief reunion with Rollins in 1965.

Tommy Flanagan then became accompanist to Tony Bennett for part of 1966, and lived on the West Coast.

Tommy Flanagan ended his role with Fitzgerald in 1978, after he had a heart attack and had become tired of extensive touring.

Tommy Flanagan continued to work with other players, including as a trio with Tal Farlow and Red Mitchell in 1980.

Tommy Flanagan returned to playing within weeks, but returned to hospital for treatment for an aneurysm.

In 1990,1993 and 1997, Tommy Flanagan toured Japan, where he was very popular, with 100 Golden Fingers, a 10-pianist group.

In late October 2001, Tommy Flanagan played in a John Coltrane tribute at the San Francisco Jazz Festival.

Tommy Flanagan's mother died in 1959, and his father in 1977.

Tommy Flanagan was survived by Diana, the three children from his first marriage, and six grandchildren.

Tommy Flanagan is a strong man, and he has a lot of spirit and firmness.