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Spanky DeBrest

1937 – 1973

American musician

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About Spanky DeBrest

Lived 1937 – 1973 (aged 35). Spanky DeBrest was an American jazz musician and musician.

Jimmy "Spanky" DeBrest (April 24, 1937 in Philadelphia – March 2, 1973 in Philadelphia) was an American jazz bassist.

DeBrest played with Lee Morgan in his early years in Philadelphia. In 1957 he was a member of Ray Draper's Quintet, Jackie McLean, pianist Mal Waldron, and drummer Ben Dixon.

He played with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers until 1958 which included Bill Hardman on trumpet and certain sessions with Thelonious Monk on piano. Other credits include work with John Coltrane, Clifford Jordan, Ray Draper, Lee Morgan, and J. J. Johnson. His last recordings were made in 1971.

Discography With Art Blakey Hard Bop (Columbia, 1956) Originally (Columbia, 1956 ) Ritual: The Modern Jazz Messengers (Pacific Jazz, 1957) Drum Suite (Columbia, 1956) Mirage (Savoy, 1957) Selections from Lerner and Loewe's... (Vik, 1957) Tough! (Cadet, 1957 ) A Night in Tunisia (Vik, 1957) - reissued as Theory of Art (Bluebird) Cu-Bop (Jubilee, 1957) Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers with Thelonious Monk (Atlantic, 1957) - with Thelonious Monk Hard Drive (Bethlehem, 1957) With John Coltrane Like Sonny (Capitol, 1960) With Ray Draper Tuba Sounds (Prestige, 1957) The Ray Draper Quintet featuring John Coltrane (New Jazz, 1957) - with John Coltrane A Tuba Jazz (Jubilee, 1958) With J. J. Johnson Really Livin' (Columbia, 1959) With Clifford Jordan Spellbound (Riverside, 1960) With Harold Corbin Soul Brother (Roulette – Birdland Series, 1960) With Lee Morgan We Remember You (Fresh Sound, 1991; recorded 1962)

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Also known as
Jimmy DeBrest

People in Spanky DeBrest's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Spanky DeBrest's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Spanky DeBrest?

American musician (1937-1973)

When was Spanky DeBrest born?

Spanky DeBrest was born on 24 April 1937 in Philadelphia.

When did Spanky DeBrest die?

Spanky DeBrest died on 2 March 1973.

What was Spanky DeBrest's occupation?

Spanky DeBrest was a jazz musician and musician.

What nationality was Spanky DeBrest?

Spanky DeBrest was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Spanky DeBrest

· Wikidata: Q1666652

· DBpedia: Spanky DeBrest

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Spanky DeBrest. https://biography.guide/spanky-debrest/

MLA: "Spanky DeBrest." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/spanky-debrest/.

Chicago: "Spanky DeBrest." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/spanky-debrest/.

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