Both as a session man and featured recording artist, pianist Bob Gaddy made his presence known on the New York blues scene during the 1950s. He's still part of that circuit today. Gaddy was drafted in 1943, and that's when he began to take the 88s seriously. He picked up a little performing experience in California clubs while stationed on the West Coast before arriving in New York in 1946. Gaddy gigged with Brownie McGhee and guitarist Larry Dale around town, McGhee often playing on Gaddy's waxings for Jackson (his 1952 debut, "Bicycle Boogie"), Jax, Dot, Harlem, and from 1955 on, Hy Weiss' Old Town label. There Gaddy stayed the longest, waxing the fine "I Love My Baby," "Paper Lady," "Rip and Run," and quite a few more into 1960. Sidemen on Gaddy's Old Town sessions included guitarists Joe Ruffin and Wild Jimmy Spruill and saxist Jimmy Wright. Since then, Gaddy hasn't recorded anything of note for domestic consumption, but like his longtime cohort Larry Dale, he remains active around New York. ~ Bill Dahl