By Chantaie Allick
Jazz pianist Carol Whitney Britto has died. She was 76.
Britto died March 16 in New York City.
She had her first gig at age 16 in Cleveland, Ohio, and began to make a name for herself in Toronto and New York. She studied with legendary pianist, Oscar Peterson and her style of forceful, energetic playing was often compared to his.
She was “Mother Jazz,” according to violinist Joe Venuti.
Britto played with some of legendary jazz names, including Chet Baker, Benny Carter, Helen Humes, Joe Williams, Major Holley, Zoot Sims, Phoebe Snow and Venuti.
She was an organist for the Toronto Blue Jays from 1977 to 1979. She spent 20 years in the city and returned to perform in later years.
“If a visiting jazzman wants a powerful yet sensitive musical companion at the piano, nobody in the business can equal her,” trumpet player Marvin Stamm once said.
Britto was also a wife, mother, avid reader, gourmet chef and expert crossword player. But her family said it was music that gave Britto her heart and soul.
She leaves behind her three children, two siblings, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Her husband, Toronto bassist Bill Britto, died in 1993. A memorial website is planned by her daughter at carolbritto.com.
Jazz pianist Carol Whitney Britto has died. She was 76.
Britto died March 16 in New York City.
She had her first gig at age 16 in Cleveland, Ohio, and began to make a name for herself in Toronto and New York. She studied with legendary pianist, Oscar Peterson and her style of forceful, energetic playing was often compared to his.
She was “Mother Jazz,” according to violinist Joe Venuti.
Britto played with some of legendary jazz names, including Chet Baker, Benny Carter, Helen Humes, Joe Williams, Major Holley, Zoot Sims, Phoebe Snow and Venuti.
She was an organist for the Toronto Blue Jays from 1977 to 1979. She spent 20 years in the city and returned to perform in later years.
“If a visiting jazzman wants a powerful yet sensitive musical companion at the piano, nobody in the business can equal her,” trumpet player Marvin Stamm once said.
Britto was also a wife, mother, avid reader, gourmet chef and expert crossword player. But her family said it was music that gave Britto her heart and soul.
She leaves behind her three children, two siblings, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Her husband, Toronto bassist Bill Britto, died in 1993. A memorial website is planned by her daughter at carolbritto.com.
