Musician. He was a genre-crossing guitarist who played on many of the great blues, jazz and R&B albums recorded in Chicago. From the 1930s to 1950s, he was known as Lefty Guitar Bates, fronted his own bands and was a versatile session musician. His guitar work can be heard on countless albums produced under labels including Vee-Jay, Chess, Decca, Club 51 and RCA. In addition to playing with groups like the El Dorados, the Flamingos, the Impressions' and the Moroccos, he was sideman for many blues artists. He performed or recorded with John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Reed, Etta James, Curtis Mayfield and others. On stage, he led such bands as the Aristo-Kats, the Hi-De-Ho Boys and various formations of the Lefty Bates Orchestra. In the 1970s and 1980s, he took leadership of a latter day iteration of the Ink Spots. He died of arteriosclerotic disease.
Musician. He was a genre-crossing guitarist who played on many of the great blues, jazz and R&B albums recorded in Chicago. From the 1930s to 1950s, he was known as Lefty Guitar Bates, fronted his own bands and was a versatile session musician. His guitar work can be heard on countless albums produced under labels including Vee-Jay, Chess, Decca, Club 51 and RCA. In addition to playing with groups like the El Dorados, the Flamingos, the Impressions' and the Moroccos, he was sideman for many blues artists. He performed or recorded with John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Reed, Etta James, Curtis Mayfield and others. On stage, he led such bands as the Aristo-Kats, the Hi-De-Ho Boys and various formations of the Lefty Bates Orchestra. In the 1970s and 1980s, he took leadership of a latter day iteration of the Ink Spots. He died of arteriosclerotic disease.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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