Bernard Addison (1905 - 1990) began his career as a banjo player in the early 1920s and by 1929 was playing the guitar.He made a name for himself in the late 1920s and early 1930s with groups with names like "The Swamplanders" and "The Seminole Syncopators". In 1930 he recorded with Jelly Roll Morton's Red Hot Peppers and with Louis Armstrong.
In 1935 he was working with Freddy Jenkins in New York when they recorded two Addison vehicles "Toledo Shuffle" and "Swingin' em Down". Both prominently featured Addison's guitar with Toldeo Shuffle recognized as Addison's Opus.
As a testament to Addison's musicianship he worked and recorded with the best jazz players of his day, including Sidney Bechet, Mezz Mezzrow, Benny Carter, Henry Allen among others and with many rising stars such as Billy Holiday, Ella Fitzgearld and Coleman Hawkins.
Addison continued an active performance and recording schedule well into the 1960s. Late in his career he made a record with Eubie Blake.
Bernard Addison was a solid rhythm player, and also a creative soloist. The sides he cut with Freddie Jenkins remain the outstanding examples of his work.
Source : classicjazzguitar.com
