Cleveland Eaton, the Fairfield-born jazz bassist, died early Sunday morning. He was 80 years old.
His wife, Myra Eaton, confirmed his death. She said he had been sick and in the hospital since March.
“He was tired,” she said. “The end of a great bass player’s life and the world’s most awesome husband, father, grand dad and great grand dad.”
Eaton said the family is not planning a hold a funeral due to social distancing and restrictions on gatherings. However, once it’s safe to gather, she said the family wants to have a party to celebrate his life.
Eaton was born in Fairfield in August 1939. When he was young he played the piano, saxophone, trumpet, tuba and string bass. He earned his bachelor’s degree in music from Tennessee A&I State University and played in a jazz group there. Moved to Chicago and launched professional career.
He toured with Ike Cole Trio, Larry Novak, and the Ramsey Lewis Trio. He contributed to Lewis’ recordings, including four gold records. He also performed with Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Frank Sinatra, Billy Eckstein, George Benson, Henry Mancini and Herbie Hancock.
In the mid-70s, he formed his own group, Cleve Eaton & Co. His solo albums included “CEO,” “Plenty Good Eaton,” “Love and Dance.” Some of his notable singles included “Bama Boogie Woogie.” He worked with Count Basie for shows and recordings and became known as “the Count’s Bassist.”
Prior to his death, he lived in Birmingham’s Bush Hills neighborhood and performed with Cleve Eaton and Alabama All Stars. The group was managed and booked by CeeMe Productions, headed by wife.
He was inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame in 1979. He received the Alabama Governor’s Arts Award in 1995. He was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 2008.
Eaton has performed at Carver Theatre in Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, Old Car Heaven, Ona’s Music Room, many other nightclubs and festivals. He was also a regular performer for weekend jazz brunches at Ore, the bar and restaurant formerly known as Open Door Cafe.
