Jimmy Markham: Leon Russell Turned Down Opportunities Anyone Else Would Have Died For

Jimmy Markham recalls working with the legendary Leon Russell and marvels at his skill as an arranger, the opportunities he got to experience, and Leon Russell's amazing ability to turn down coveted opportunities that others would envy, establishing him as one of the greatest arrangers in history.

Jimmy “Junior” Markham was born in Pryor, Oklahoma in 1941. He listened to blues radio and records of Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley. Jimmy Markham spent much of his childhood on the North side of Tulsa going into clubs underage with a note from his parents. This allowed Markham to see B.B. King, Billie Holiday, Ray Charles, Little Richard, and Jackie Wilson. Jimmy Markham and his friend, Leon Russell, left Tulsa in the early ‘60s for Los Angeles. Drummer David Teegarden would later join them about 6 months later. They all lived in the same house. During this time, Markham was a trumpet player. He played trumpet since he was in grade school in Chouteau, Oklahoma. While out on tour in 1962, a drummer named Bill Boatman told Markham that he should learn to play the harmonica to go along with Jimmy Reed songs the band was covering. Markham returned to Tulsa in 1969.

Jimmy was a huge supporter of our plans to revitalize the studio and honor the legacy of his life-long friend, Leon Russell. We loved our time with Jimmy for this interview! His wit and humor were always a joy, and his knowledge of Leon's beginnings and passion for all things Leon Russell is interesting and inspiring. Sadly, Jimmy passed away in 2018 before he had an opportunity to see the completion of The Church Studio's historic renovation.

The Church Studio is a historic studio that was built in 1915 as Grace M.E. Church. It came to life in 1972 when Leon Russell, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Grammy-Award winning artist, purchased the old church and turned it into an analog recording studio and home office to Shelter Records. Teresa Knox, a Leon Russell fan and Tulsa native, purchased The Church Studio and has brought it back to life as a professional analog and digital recording studio, event center, audio engineering school, entertainment network, and home to The Church Studio Archive.

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Видео Jimmy Markham: Leon Russell Turned Down Opportunities Anyone Else Would Have Died For канала The Church Studio