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John Levy

1912 – 2012

American musician

Jazz musician Businessperson Double-bassist
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About John Levy

Lived 1912 – 2012 (aged 99). John Levy was an American jazz musician, businessperson, double-bassist, music executive and musician.

John Levy (April 11, 1912 – January 20, 2012) was an American jazz double-bassist and businessman.

Life Levy was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1944, he left his family home in Chicago, Illinois, and moved to New York City where he played bass for such jazz musicians as Ben Webster, Erroll Garner, Milt Jackson, and Billie Holiday. In 1949, he became the bassist in the original George Shearing Quintet, where he also acted as Shearing's road manager. In 1951, Levy opened John Levy Enterprises, Inc., becoming the first African-American personal manager in the pop or jazz music field. By the 1960s, Levy's client roster included Shearing, Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams, Cannonball Adderley, Ramsey Lewis, Billy Taylor, and Nikki Price, as well as Shirley Horn and Soul singer Jimmie Raye.

In 1997, Levy was inducted into the International Jazz Hall of Fame, and in 2006 he was named a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts.

He died on January 20, 2012, aged 99, in Altadena, California.

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Important facts

People in John Levy's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped John Levy's

Frequently asked questions

Who was John Levy?

American musician (1912-2012)

When was John Levy born?

John Levy was born on 11 April 1912 in New Orleans.

When did John Levy die?

John Levy died on 20 January 2012 in Altadena.

What was John Levy's occupation?

John Levy was a jazz musician, businessperson, double-bassist, music executive and musician.

What nationality was John Levy?

John Levy was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John Levy

· Wikidata: Q1374878

· DBpedia: John Levy (musician)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Levy. https://biography.guide/john-levy/

MLA: "John Levy." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-levy/.

Chicago: "John Levy." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-levy/.

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