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Thornel Schwartz

1927 – 1977

American jazz guitarist

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About Thornel Schwartz

Lived 1927 – 1977 (aged 50). Thornel Schwartz was an American jazz guitarist and musician.

Thornel Schwartz Jr., or Thornal Schwartz Jr. (May 29, 1927 in Philadelphia – December 30, 1977 in Philadelphia) was an American jazz guitarist. He played electric guitar on the recordings of many Philadelphia jazz musicians, especially electronic organ players.

Schwartz is known as Thornel on recording titles and in standard jazz reference works, but Gary W. Kennedy of The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz notes that Schwartz spelled his own and his father's name "Thornal" on his social security application. Schwartz attended the Landis Institute for piano, but became known as a jazz guitarist starting in the 1950s. He was Freddie Cole's guitarist early in the decade, then worked with Jimmy Smith and Johnny Hammond Smith later in the decade. In the 1960s he recorded with Larry Young (musician), Jimmy Forrest, Charles Earland, Byrdie Green, Sylvia Syms and extensively with Jimmy McGriff, and in the 1970s with Groove Holmes.

Discography As leader Soul Cookin' (Argo, 1962) -with Bill Leslie

As sideman With Jimmy McGriff Christmastime (Jell, 1965) Where the Action's At! (Veep/United Records, 1966) The Big Band (Solid State, 1966) - also released as A Tribute to Basie A Bag Full of Soul (Solid State, 1966) I've Got a New Woman (Solid State, 1967) The Worm (Solid State, 1968) Let's Stay Together (Groove Merchant, 1972)

With Jimmy Smith A New Sound... A New Star... (Blue Note, 1956) A New Sound A New Star: Jimmy Smith at the Organ Volume 2 [AKA The Champ] (Blue Note, 1956) The Incredible Jimmy Smith at the Organ Volume 3 (Blue Note, 1956) At Club Baby Grand (Blue Note, 1956) Respect (Verve, 1967)

With Johnny "Hammond" Smith All Soul (New Jazz, 1959) That Good Feelin' (New Jazz, 1959) Gettin' Up [also released as Ebb Tide] (Prestige, 1967)

With Larry Young Testifying (Prestige, 1960) Young Blues (Prestige, 1960) Groove Street (Prestige, 1962)

With others Milt Buckner, Rockin' Again (Black & Blue, 1981) Jimmy Forrest, Forrest Fire (New Jazz, 1960) Byrdie Green, I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) (Prestige, 1967) Richard "Groove" Holmes, X–77: Richard "Groove" Holmes Recorded Live at the Lighthouse (World Pacific, 1969) Bill Leslie, Diggin' the Chicks (Argo, 1962) Sylvia Syms, For Once in My Life (Prestige, 1967) Big Joe Turner, Singing the Blues (BluesWay, 1967) The Wildare Express (w/Reuben Wilson), Walk On By (Brunswick, 1967–1968 [rel. 1970])

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Also known as
Thornel Schwartz Jr., Thornal Schwartz Jr.

People in Thornel Schwartz's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Thornel Schwartz's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Thornel Schwartz?

American jazz guitarist

When was Thornel Schwartz born?

Thornel Schwartz was born on 29 May 1927 in Philadelphia.

When did Thornel Schwartz die?

Thornel Schwartz died on 30 December 1977 in Philadelphia.

What was Thornel Schwartz's occupation?

Thornel Schwartz was a jazz guitarist and musician.

What nationality was Thornel Schwartz?

Thornel Schwartz was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Thornel Schwartz

· Wikidata: Q23071908

· DBpedia: Thornel Schwartz

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Thornel Schwartz. https://biography.guide/thornel-schwartz/

MLA: "Thornel Schwartz." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/thornel-schwartz/.

Chicago: "Thornel Schwartz." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/thornel-schwartz/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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