Age, Biography and Wiki

Big Jay McNeely (Cecil James McNeely) was born on 29 April, 1927 in Los Angeles, California, U.S., is an American R&B saxophonist (1927–2018). Discover Big Jay McNeely's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 91 years old?

Popular As Cecil James McNeely
Occupation Musician
Age 91 years old
Zodiac Sign Taurus
Born 29 April, 1927
Birthday 29 April
Birthplace Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Date of death 16 September, 2018
Died Place Moreno Valley, California, U.S.
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 29 April. He is a member of famous artist with the age 91 years old group.

Big Jay McNeely Height, Weight & Measurements

At 91 years old, Big Jay McNeely height not available right now. We will update Big Jay McNeely's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
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Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

Family
Parents Not Available
Wife Not Available
Sibling Not Available
Children Not Available

Big Jay McNeely Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Big Jay McNeely worth at the age of 91 years old? Big Jay McNeely’s income source is mostly from being a successful artist. He is from United States. We have estimated Big Jay McNeely's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income artist

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Timeline

1927

Cecil James "Big Jay" McNeely (April 29, 1927 – September 16, 2018) was an American R&B saxophonist.

Inspired by Illinois Jacquet and Lester Young, McNeely teamed with his older brother Robert McNeely, who played baritone saxophone, and made his first recordings with drummer Johnny Otis, who ran the Barrelhouse Club that stood only a few blocks from McNeely's home.

Shortly after he performed on Otis's "Barrel House Stomp."

Ralph Bass, A&R man for Savoy Records, promptly signed him to a recording contract.

Bass's boss, Herman Lubinsky, suggested the stage name Big Jay McNeely because Cecil McNeely did not sound commercial.

1949

McNeely's first hit was "The Deacon's Hop," an instrumental which topped the Billboard R&B chart in early 1949.

Big Jay McNeely performed for the famed fifth Cavalcade of Jazz concert held at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles produced by Leon Hefflin, Sr.

on July 10, 1949.

It was at this concert that McNeely and Lionel Hampton got into a showdown that resulted in pillows being thrown along with other items.

His recording of "Blow Big Jay Blow" catapulted him into National prominence.

1950

Thanks to his flamboyant playing, called "honking," McNeely remained popular through the 1950s and into the early 1960s, recording for the Exclusive, Aladdin, Imperial, Federal, Vee-Jay, and Swingin' labels.

1955

McNeely and his Orchestra would come back to Los Angeles, to perform at the eleventh Cavalcade of Jazz on July 24, 1955 along with Lionel Hampton's Orchestra.

The Medallions, The Penguins and James Moody would also be featured that same day.

1959

But despite a hit R&B ballad, "There Is Something on Your Mind," (1959) featuring Little Sonny Warner on vocals, and a 1963 album for Warner Bros. Records, McNeely's music career began to cool off.

1971

He quit the music industry in 1971 to become a postman.

1980

However, thanks to an R&B revival in the early 1980s, McNeely left the post office and returned to touring and recording full-time, usually overseas.

His original tenor sax is enshrined in the Experience Music Project in Seattle, and he was inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame.

1989

In 1989, Big Jay McNeely was performing with Detroit Gary Wiggins (European Saxomania Tour II) at the Quasimodo Club in West Berlin the night the Berlin Wall came down, "and Cold War legend has it that they blew down the Berlin Wall in 1989 with earth-shaking sonic sax torrents outside the Quasimodo Club in West Germany".

McNeely and Wiggins toured in Germany and Italy with The International Blues Duo, Johnny Heartsman, Daryl Taylor (who worked with Arnett Cobb and Archie Bell & The Drells), Roy Gaines, Christian Rannenberg, Donald Robertson, Billy Davis Jr., "Hyepockets" Robertson, and Lee Allen.

2009

Big Jay McNeely regularly performed at the International Boogie Woogie Festival in The Netherlands, and recorded an album with Martijn Schok, the festival's promoter, in 2009.

2011

The album was entitled Party Time, and one track from the album, "Get On Up and Boogie" (Parts 1, 2, and 3)", was featured on the vintage music compilation This is Vintage Now (2011).

2018

He died in Moreno Valley, California, on September 16, 2018, of prostate cancer, at the age of 91.

McNeely was credited with being the most flamboyant performer out of the saxophone honkers.