John Adriano Acea
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John Adriano Acea (born September 11, 1917 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - died July 25, 1963) was an American jazz pianist. Born to Cuban parents who migrated to the United States, Acea had rheumatic fever and was expected to die during his first decade of life. In addition to beating the odds, he would end up with a rather impressive resumé backing several notable artists.
[edit] Session musician collaborations
During the 1930s, Acea started out as a trumpeter and saxophonist. Upon conclusion of military service (US Army) in 1946, he switched to playing the piano. He would later become a sought-after session musician with jazz veterans, including (but not limited to):
- Eddie Lockjaw Davis
- Cootie Williams
- Dizzy Gillespie
- Illinois Jacquet
- Dinah Washington
- Grant Green
- James Moody
- Joe Newman
- Zoot Sims
[edit] Compositions
Acea is listed as co-composer on "Nice 'N' Greasy" – the closing track to Lou Donaldson's 1962 effort, The Natural Soul. He is also credited as a composer on recordings by Gillespie, Jacquet and Moody.
