Donald Ryan – Classical, Religious & Jazz Pianist

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Donald Ryan

A commanding and dynamic pianist, Donald Ryan has been called “a music kaleidoscope, sparkling at everything he plays.” This “everything” encompasses the arenas of classical, religious/inspirational, and jazz. His virtuosity and amazing gift of improvisation have delighted audiences throughout the U. S. A.  – Carnegie Hall included – as well as in England, France, Germany, Austria, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, the Caribbean … Read more

“Papa John” DeFrancesco – Renaissance of the Hammond Organ

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September 12, 1940 — Renowned jazz organist “Papa John” DeFrancesco is credited with bringing about the renaissance of the Hammond organ, and gained a national reputation for playing the organ in an infectious hard bop style. Though DeFrancesco began playing the trumpet when he was six, he did not begin playing the organ until his wife bought him one for his … Read more

Washington Rucker – Biography & Career

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Washington Rucker

1998 Inductee Washington Irving Rucker was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on March 5th, 1937, and attended local schools through to graduation from Booker T. Washington High, developing a talent for the drums along the way. By his teens, Washington was working with bluesman Jimmy “Cry Cry” Hawkins and was soon off to UCLA to study and get … Read more

Justin Echols – New Orleans Jazz Club

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Justin Echols

Inducted into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame in 2012, police officer Justin Echolscroons the standards with a voice as smooth as melted chocolate and manipulates the ebonies and ivories as if he were born in a New Orleans jazz club. When Echols was faced with near immobility after a catastrophic car crash, the Oklahoma City police sergeant … Read more

History of Oklahoma Jazz – Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame

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Jazz History

They call jazz “America’s classical music.” Jazz was born and bred in the United States; originally inspired by ragtime and folk songs, early jazz artists drew their musical inspiration from country dances, field hollers, work songs, and the blues. Oklahoma musicians were instrumental in the creation of the so-called “Kansas City” style of jazz, bluesy … Read more

Jesse Ed Davis – Washita Love Child Artist

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Jesse Ed Davis

September 21, 1944 – June 22, 1988 2002 Blues Inductee Jesse Ed Davis was born in Norman, Oklahoma on September 21, 1944 of Kiowa and Cherokee parents. He was playing guitar at venues in and around Oklahoma City by his early teens with other young musicians like bassist John Selk, vocalist Jerry Fisher, and drummer … Read more