Eddie Beal

For those of a similar name, see Edward Beale.

Eddie Beal (June 13, 1910, Redlands, California - December 15, 1984, Los Angeles) was an American jazz pianist. He was the brother of Charlie Beal.

Beal started on drums but switched to piano in his teens. Early in the 1930s he worked in the orchestras of Earl Dancer and Charlie Echols. From 1933 to 1936 he toured China with Buck Clayton, then freelanced in California (with Maxine Sullivan, among others) until 1941. After military service from 1941–43, he accompanied Ivie Anderson, and led his own trio which accompanied Billie Holiday at one point. He also worked in the Spirits of Rhythm. As a composer, he penned the tunes "Softly" (covered by Holliday) and "Bye and Bye", a hit for The Turbans. He plays on the soundtrack to the 1951 film The Strip; he also makes an appearance in the film. Later recording credits include work with Jimmy Mundy, Herb Jeffries, Helen Humes, Red Callender, and others. He led his own group in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1973-74, and in 1974-75 he played with Tommy Dorsey.

References

• Eugene Chadbourne, Eddie Beal at Allmusic
• "Eddie Beal". Grove Jazz online.