Percy Joell Biography

Bassist Percy Joell was a strong player on the Philly music scene during the ’40s and ’50s, showing up on crucial early rhythm and blues recordings by the Carter-Rays and Cousin Joe, among others. Joell’s bottom-end credits also include baritone saxophone work for bandleader Sammy Price. Joell worked well with drummer Harold Cade behind pianist and bandleader Eddie Carter, fine guitarist Elvie Hill filling out the group. On sax, Joell’s section mates were likely to include the tasty James “Ham” Jackson on tenor sax. Speaking of noshing, some of Joell’s smoothest bass work can be heard on a Carter-Ray track entitled “Eat ‘Em Up.”