The 3B's (also credited as The Three B's [1] ) was a jazz trio comprising pianist Bross Townsend, bassist Bob Cunningham and drummer Bernard Purdie. [2]
They recorded two albums of jazz and blues standards in the mid-1990s, both of which featured, among other sidemen, Houston Person on tenor saxophone and Fred Smith on trumpet.
The three B's (Bross, Bob and Bernard) had previously recorded together in 1985 on Bob Cunningham's only album as leader, Walking Bass. [3] Purdie, Carrie Smith, and Bross Townsend had previously performed together at the Brooklyn Academy of Music's 100 Years of Jazz and Blues festival in 1992. [4]
Allmusic reviewer Steven MacDonald gave After Hours with The 3B's 4 out of 5 stars, saying "It's a delight from start to finish, with all the participants basically out for a good time. As always, it's a delight to hear Purdie play -- and he satisfies drumaholics with plenty of tight, smart solos." [2]
Bernard Lee "Pretty" Purdie is an American drummer, and an influential R&B, soul and funk musician. He is known for his precise musical time keeping and his signature use of triplets against a half-time backbeat: the "Purdie Shuffle." He was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 2013.
Sings the Blues is an album by singer/pianist/songwriter Nina Simone. This was Simone's first album for RCA Records after previously recording for Colpix Records and Philips Records. The album was also reissued in 2006 with bonus tracks, and re-packaged in 1991 by RCA/Novus as a 17-track compilation under the title The Blues.
Bross Elvie Townsend, Jr. was an American jazz and blues pianist.
Silver 'n Brass is an album by jazz pianist Horace Silver released on the Blue Note label in 1975, featuring performances by Silver with Tom Harrell, Bob Berg, Ron Carter, Al Foster, Bob Cranshaw, and Bernard Purdie with an overdubbed brass section arranged by Wade Marcus featuring Oscar Brashear, Bobby Bryant, Vincent DeRosa, Frank Rosolino, Maurice Spears, Jerome Richardson, and Buddy Collette.
Mr. Wonderful is an album by jazz organist Johnny "Hammond" Smith which was recorded in 1963 and released on the Riverside label.
The Boss Is Back! is an album by saxophonist Gene Ammons recorded in 1969 and released on the Prestige label.
A Change Is Gonna Come is a 1966 album by organist Brother Jack McDuff which was his first released on the Atlantic label.
Bob Cunningham was an American jazz bassist. Cunningham was born on December 28, 1934, in Cleveland. In the 1990s he was a member of The 3B's, with Bross Townsend and Bernard Purdie. He died in New York on April 1, 2017, at the age of 82.
Houston Express is the ninth album led by saxophonist Houston Person. It was recorded April 8 & 9, 1971 and released on the Prestige label. To date, it has only been re-released on Compact Disc in South Africa.
Sweet Buns & Barbeque is the eleventh album led by saxophonist Houston Person which was recorded in 1972 and released on the Prestige label.
Soul Talk is an album by jazz organist Johnny "Hammond" Smith recorded for the Prestige label in 1969.
Black Feeling! is an album by jazz organist Johnny "Hammond" Smith recorded for the Prestige label in 1969.
Here It 'Tis is an album by jazz organist Johnny "Hammond" Smith recorded for the Prestige label in 1970.
Wild Horses Rock Steady is an album by jazz organist Johnny Hammond recorded for the Kudu label in 1971.
Sure 'Nuff is the debut album by jazz organist Sonny Phillips which was recorded in 1969 and released on the Prestige label.
Purdie Good! is an album led by jazz drummer Bernard Purdie which was recorded for the Prestige label in 1971.
Shaft is an album led by jazz drummer Bernard Purdie which was recorded for the Prestige label in 1971.
Witch Doctor is a live album by American jazz trumpeter Chet Baker which was recorded at The Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach in 1953 and released on the Contemporary label in 1985.
Swiss Suite is a live album by American jazz composer/arranger Oliver Nelson featuring performances by a big band with soloists Gato Barbieri and Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson. The album was recorded at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1971 for the Flying Dutchman label.