Jazz Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation - James Forman aka Hen Gates

James Forman aka Hen Gates

Printed From: JazzMusicArchives.com
Category: Jazz Music Lounges
Forum Name: Jazz Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation
Forum Description: Discuss specific jazz artists/bands and their members or a specific sub-genre
URL: http://www.JazzMusicArchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=31880
Printed Date: 04 Dec 2024 at 1:38am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 10.16 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: James Forman aka Hen Gates

Posted By: Bob Bell
Subject: James Forman aka Hen Gates
Date Posted: 26 Sep 2024 at 4:10pm

I am researching the various budget LP releases that came out during the 1950s on labels such as Plymouth, Palace, Masterseal etc that were supposedly by Hen Gates and His Gaters. The material was R & B, jump blues, jazz and Rock and Roll. Some of the material was by Freddie Mitchell from his days at Derby Records in the late 40s and early 50s. Other tunes were by Eddie 'LockJaw ' Davis from Lenox ... however most of the artists are unidentified. Davis and Mitchell were unidentified, and often the original names of the tunes were changed from LP to LP

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!

Replies:

Posted By: js
Date Posted: 26 Sep 2024 at 6:04pm

Interesting, I will have some time to look into this tomorrow. I guess you know about Charlie Parker being last name Chan, and I think first name Charlie?

Posted By: Bob Bell
Date Posted: 07 Oct 2024 at 5:42pm

Yes, I do know about 'Charlie Chan', but not enough about James Forman! Any help will be much appreciated!