James Forman aka Hen Gates

The Philadelphia pianist James Forman used the pseudonym Hen Gates on some sessions with Charlie Parker, Gillespie and James Moody, as did Gillespie himslf on some Parker sessions. I believe it was Gillespie who passed on the nickname to Forman. 

As far as i can tell, Forman has NOTHING to do with material issued under the name Hen Gates on these budget records.

I am trying to find out WHY this name was used, and if Forman had ANYTHING AT ALL to do with the releases. I did hear an unsubstantiated rumor that he might have owned the masters. I do know that Eli Oberstein bought the Derby catalog in late 1954, and subsequently Don Gabor issued many of these masters on his Plymouth, Paris, Masterseal  and Palace labels.

Any info on Mr Forman and/or Hen Gates will be very welcome!

Thanks in advance for the flood of suggestions!

The links posted below are for the James Forman you seek (James Forman Jr)

I have been researching this guy for years (!) and still do not have a photo or a date of death. 

I am aware of James Forman, Jr (aka James Mtume, Jr.). His step father was James Forman aka Hen Gates. Dizzy Gillespie also used the name Hen Gates on a Charlie Parker session in the forties(Dizz was on piano on that date).

For me, the mystery I am trying to solve is why 'Hen Gates' was the name used for many budget LPs releases in the fifties, on labels like Masterseal, Palace, Plymouth, Paris etc, when the material was by Freddie Mitchell or Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis. There are many (c. 15) tunes that so far i have not identified the artists. All were marketed as 'Rock and Roll', and I don't believe Forman had anything to do with them, although I might be proved wrong. Other names were also used for this material, such as Jack Haines, The Rhythm Kings and more, and often using the same stampers, but different labels and sleeves.

Unfortunately Discogs, Wikipedia and other sources are often just repeating incorrect info.

Once again, many thanks for your input - I really appreciate it. Now does anyone have a photo? Or the copy of a death certificate?

The pseudonym Hen Gates was either 1) a pun on Charlie "Bird' Parker's name when it was used by Dizzy on that 1940s record date, with Gates part being back then a honorific often used in greeting, as in 'Hey Gates, what's happennin'?, or less likely, 2) it was a local PHilly / NYC generic term like Darby Hicks, Joe Turner, Jack the Bear type name. Who knows? 

I have contacted  James Forman's family, and am hoping to get an answer to the question: Was Mr Forman aware of this usage, and did he approve / disapprove or what? 

My piece for Blues and Rhythm will primarily be addressing the numerous budget LPs using this material, and attampting to identify the original artists (such as Mitcheel and Lockjaw etc).

Thanks for taking such an interest,

Bob