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The embodiment of rich rural Southern musical traditions where blues, country and folk forms intersect, singer-pianist Mose Allison has also brought an erudite and witty view to his recordings and performances over the past five decades. Where else could you find a lyric such as "Your mind in on vacation but your mouth is working overtime"? A native of Tippo, Miss., born Nov. 11, 1927, Allison started with piano lessons at the age of 5 and as a high school student played trumpet in a Dixieland group. He worked throughout the South after graduation from Louisiana State University, then moved to New York City in 1956. After stints with the likes of Gerry Mulligan, Stan Getz and Zoot Sims-Al Cohn, Allison began working throughout the United States and Europe with his various trios. Having recorded many albums over the years for a wide variety of labels, Allison has most recently been affiliated with Blue Note. Some of his best work is found on the early Prestige efforts Local Color and Creek Bank. His soft-spoken singing, with what often seems to be a perfect rhythm feel, is always blended nicely with his ironic lyrics in a music that is at once modern and yet filled with a wide-ranging past. —Will Smith |