Introduction
William K. "Billy" Hadnott (November 30, 1914—December 1, 1999) was an American jazz and blues bassist. He worked with several well-known musicians of the time, including Buddy Rich, Count Basie, Louis Jordan, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Charlie Parker, Roy Milton, Jay McShann, and T-Bone Walker.
Hadnott was a highly respected and busy musician in the early jazz scene of Kansas City, Missouri. He also recorded under the alias Bill Hadnott.
Life and work
Billy Hadnott was born in Port Arthur, Texas, on November 30, 1914.
In 1940, Hadnott recorded a 23-track album with Kansas City jazz bandleader and clarinetist Harlan Leonard's Rockets alongside Henry Bridges (clarinet and tenor saxophone), Jesse Price (drums), Fred Beckett (trombone), among others.
In the mid-1940s and in the 1950s, he played with Coleman Hawkins, Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Red Norvo and Sonny Criss.
In January 1946, he performed "Oh, Lady Be Good" at Jazz at the Philharmonic in Auditorium Philharmonic, Los Angeles, California, with Al Killian and Howard McGhee on trumpet; Charlie Parker and Willie Smith on alto saxophone; Lester Young on tenor saxophone; Arnold Ross on piano; and Lee Young on drums.
In August 1946, Hadnott had a hit with Julia Lee's "Gotta Gimme Whatcha Got". The song reached #3 on R&B charts.
In 1948, he played on T-Bone Walker's recordings of "West Side Baby" and "Lonesome Women" with Oscar Lee Bradley (drums) and Willard McDaniel (piano). The following year, he played bass on Lowell Fulson and Lloyd Glenn's recordings of "Every Day I Have The Blues" and "Rocking After Midnight". Bob Harvey was the drummer and Lowell Fulson was the guitarist.
Hadnott also belonged to the bands of Illinois Jacquet, Ike Lloyd, Wardell Gray's Los Angeles All Stars, and Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five.
In the early 1950s, Hadnott had its own sextet with pianist Ernie Freeman, saxophonist Sonny Criss, drummer Budy Reed, guitarist Oscar Moore, and vibraphonist Ruddy Pits. They made at least two recordings in 1952—"Limehouse Blues" / "Junk Wagon", and "Ooh Chica".
Hadnott also worked with many blues musicians, including Gladys Bentley and Lowell Fulson.
Death
Hadnott died in Los Angeles, California, on December 1, 1999, at age 85.
References
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings by Richard Cook and Brian Morton (Penguin, London 2006, ISBN 0-14-102327-9)