James Robert Forrest Jr. (January 24, 1920 – August 26, 1980)[1] was an Americanjazz musician who playedtenor saxophone throughout his career.[2]
Forrest is known for his first solo recording of "Night Train". It reached No. 1 on theBillboard R&B chart in March 1952, and stayed at the top for seven weeks. "Hey Mrs. Jones" (No. 3 R&B) and "Bolo Blues" were his other hits. All were made forUnited Records, for which he recorded between 1951 and 1953; he recorded frequently as both a sideman and a bandleader.
Late in life Forrest married Betty Tardy (November 30, 1929 – October 21, 2011), and settled inGrand Rapids,Michigan, where he died in August 1980, aged 60, from heart failure.[4][2]
Forrest's version of "Night Train" was the theme song of a nightlyrhythm and blues radio program in theHouston, Texas area. Also calledNight Train, the program was hosted by William A. "Rascal" McCaskill, and was broadcast on KREL-AM between 1954 and 1957.
In his 2000 book,The Devil and Sonny Liston, authorNick Tosches notes that Forrest's music was a favorite of heavyweight boxerSonny Liston, also from St. Louis, who would listen to "Night Train" and other Forrest music during training sessions and before fights.
Live at The Barrel (Prestige P-7858, 1952 [rel. 1983]; reissued on CD as Prestige PCD-24117 [rel. 1992] with a new title:Our Delight: Recorded Live At The Barrel, St. Louis)
Live at The Barrel, Volume Two (Prestige P-7860, 1952 [rel. 1984]; reissued on CD as Prestige PCD-24117 [rel. 1992] with a new title:Our Delight: Recorded Live At The Barrel, St. Louis)
Al Grey featuring Arnett Cobb (Disques Black And Blue 33.143, 1977; reissued on CD as Black & Blue BB-954 [rel. 2002] with a new title:Ain't That Funk For You)
