Jimmy Wormworth

Biography

Born in Utica, New York, Jimmy Wormworth was the son of the African-American jazz drummer and pianist James Wormworth II and Ann Mariani, the sister of the Utica tenor saxophonist Dick Mariani. He began studying drums with George Claesgens in Utica in 1947 and was playing professionally in upstate New York while still in his teens.

Wormworth went on to tour Europe with American combos in 1956 and 1957, toured with Nellie Lutcher from February 1958, began working with Les Jazz Modes in 1958 and with Lou Donaldson and Phineas Newborn from 1958 until 1959. Between January and May 1959 he worked with Mal Waldron in the house band at the New York club the Five Spot and began touring with Lambert, Hendricks and Ross in October 1959.

Wormworth's discography as a sideman includes recordings in the late 1950s with the Jazz Modes (Charlie Rouse and Julius Watkins), Lou Donaldson, the early 1960s with Lambert, Hendricks and Ross and Jon Hendricks, the 1970s with Al Haig, J. R. Monterose, Allen Eager, Hod O’Brien and, in this century, albums with Annie Ross, Tardo Hammer, Charles Davis, John Marshall and the German pianist Joe.

Wormworth met and began working with Al Haig in 1969 and performed with him regularly from about 1974 until Haig's death in 1982. He taught workshops and master classes at the Konservatorium Wien in 2012. He was also a featured contributor for No One but Me, a 2012 documentary film produced by ConnectFilm about jazz singer Annie Ross.

As sideman

With Charlie Rouse and Julius Watkins

With Lou Donaldson

With Lambert, Hendricks & Ross

With Jon Hendricks

With Al Haig

With J. R. Monterose

With Hod O'Brien

With Allen Eager

With Tardo Hammer

With John Marshall

With Annie Ross

With Stephanie Nakasian

With Gil Coggins

With Charles Davis (saxophonist)

With Joe Haider

Compilations