Chris Columbus

Joseph Christopher Columbus Morris (June 17, 1902 – August 20, 2002 ), better known as Crazy Chris Columbo or just Chris Columbo, was an American jazz drummer. He was sometimes credited as Joe Morris He led his own band from the 1930s into the late 1940s, holding a residency at the Savoy Ballroom for a period. During the mid 1940s he also began drumming behind Louis Jordan, remaining with him until 1952. In the mid-to-late 1950s, Columbus backed Wild Bill Davis's organ combo, and he recorded with Duke Ellington in 1967.

Columbo got his first professional gig playing with Fletcher Henderson in 1921. Between the 1920s and the 1960s, he played at most of the city's nightclubs, and led the Club Harlem orchestra for 34 years until 1978, when the club shut its doors. Thereafter, Columbo's band went on to perform at practically every Atlantic City casino hotel. At the time of his stroke, he was playing regularly at the Showboat.

Family Chris is survived by two daughters, Yvette Mathison and JoAnn Morris, grand daughters Sheril Plunkett and Tana Lee, and great grand-children Dylan Plunkett, Kacie Mae Plunkett and Chance Lee.

Death Columbo suffered a stroke in 1993 and died in 2002; he was 100 years old. To recognize his contributions to the history and music of Atlantic City, a section of Kentucky Avenue, home of Club Harlem, was renamed Chris Columbo Lane in 2005.

Discography

As leader "Lonely Street" // "Dancing On My Heart" (Double AA 114, 1955) "Floyd's Guitar Blues" // "Wishy Washy" (King 4991, 1956) – with Johnny Grimes-trumpet/vibes, Jimmy Tyler-alto/tenor sax, Nick Palmer-tenor/baritone sax, John Wiegand-organ, Floyd Smith-guitar. "Oh Yeah!, Pt. 1" // "Oh Yeah!, Pt. 2" (King 5012, 1957) – with Gil Askey-trumpet, Jimmy Tyler-tenor sax, Johnny Hammond Smith-organ, Floyd Smith-guitar. Stranger on the Shore" // "You Can't Sit Down" (Battle 45904, 1962) Jazz: Re-Discovering Old Favorites (Strand SL-1044, 1962) – reissued as Summertime in 1963 (Strand SL-1095). "Summertime" // "Minerology" (Strand 25056, 1963) – with Johnny Hammond Smith. "Minerology" // "Summertime" (Casino 1305, 1963) – reissue "I Can't Stop Loving You" // "Mr. Wonderful" (Maxx 327, 1964)

As sideman Here's Wild Bill Davis (Epic LG-1004 [10" LP], 1954) Wild Bill Davis: On The Loose (Epic LN-1121 [10" LP], 1954) Wild Bill Davis At Birdland (Epic LN-3118, 1955) – reissued as Lullaby Of Birdland in 1972. Wild Bill Davis: Evening Concerto (Epic LN-3308, 1955) Duke Ellington/Ella Fitzgerald/Oscar Peterson: The Greatest Jazz Concert In The World (Pablo 2625-704, 1967 [rel. 1975]) – Columbus is the Ellington orchestra's drummer at this Hollywood Bowl concert. Wild Bill Davis: Impulsions (Disques Black & Blue 33.037, 1972) Al Grey & Wild Bill Davis (Disques Black & Blue 33.041, 1972) – with Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson. Floyd Smith: Floyd's Guitar Blues (Disques Black & Blue 33.046, 1972) Buddy Tate & Wild Bill Davis (Disques Black & Blue 33.054, 1972) – reissued on CD as Broadway in 1987 by Black & Blue (233.054). Milt Buckner: Black And Blue Stomp (Disques Black & Blue 33.061, 1973) Al Grey: Grey's Mood (Disques Black & Blue 33.085, 1973–1975 [rel. 1979])