Chris Towns - Zanzi / Omi (Digital 45) (Mod) [CD]

Chris Towns was a New York based musician, songwriter, arranger and composer for such artists as Johnny Mathis, Gloria Lynne, Dizzy Gillespie and Brook Benton. He was also a former Famous Music staff writer, Atlantic Records recording artist and co-founder of international touring group The Dell Tones. As a pianist, Towns toured with Jackie Wilson, Etta Jones, Chuck Jackson and performed with Otis Blackwell on original demos of material for Elvis Presley. He spent his senior years teaching music at Central Harlem's Senior Citizens Center, where he received awards for his work with the center's choir. Featured here is "Zanzi" b/w "Omi," an excellent, ultra-rare late 1950s R&B instrumental single from Town's compact combo dubbed Chris Towns & His Townsmen. Towns leads the band on piano backed by a tight rockin' rhythm section featuring just guitar, bass, and drums with tenor sax up front - creating a sound that could have just as easily been recorded in New Orleans. This classic R&B instrumental single was originally released in 1957 on the New York City based Lido Records imprint and is presented here newly remastered and finally made available in the digital domain.