Born in Baltimore in 1921, Jazz pianist James P. Buchanan backed singer Billie Holiday as a teenager. In the 1930s James played at the Royal Theater behind such stars as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and many others. Eventually James moved away but returned to Baltimore in the ‘70s. Known as El-Duke-O he became the house pianist at the Peabody Book Shop & Beer Stube. Other places he performed included the Cat’s Eye Pub in Fells Point, Ethel’s Place, and the annual Artscape Festivals. In 1981 he released the single “Ernestine’s Out Tonight” b/w “Never Again” (Jorma 41967). The single was recorded at Jorma J Sjoblom Productions 25th Street Studio.
1981 Jorma 41967 Ernestine’s Out Tonight / Never Again
