James Joseph Wisner (December 8, 1931 – March 13, 2018) was an American pianist, arranger, songwriter, and producer. He is best known for his 1961 hit single " Asia Minor", released under the name Kokomo.

Biography

Born in Philadelphia, Wisner received classical training as a youngster, and attended Temple University as a psychology student in the late 1950s. He formed the Jimmy Wisner Trio in 1959 with Chick Kinney on drums and Ace Tesone on bass. This ensemble backed musicians who toured through Philadelphia, including

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at Rockabilly.nl He released several full-length albums as a jazz musician, but in 1961 recorded a

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adaptation of Edvard Grieg's Piano Concerto in A Minor, using shellac on the hammers of a cheap piano so as to effect a honky tonk sound. So as not to alienate his jazz fans, he released the tune, titled "Asia Minor", under the name Kokomo; he was turned down by 10 labels and had to release the track on his own label Future Records. The song became a hit, reaching #8 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, and #35 on the UK Singles Chart despite having been banned by the BBC. Wisner released further singles as Kokomo on his prior label, Felsted, but did not have another hit. Following the success of "Asia Minor", Wisner launched a successful career as a songwriter, producer, and composer for film and television. With Billy Jackson, a frequent songwriting collaborator, he wrote " Don't Throw Your Love Away", a #1 UK hit for the Searchers in 1964, as well as the Tymes' "Somewhere", written with Norma Mendoza, which went Top 20 in the UK. As a producer and arranger Wisner worked with

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' A&R department from 1968 to 1969, where he recorded several songs, including Paul Levinson's "Sunshine Mind," with Donna Marie, who went on to perform with the Archies. Wisner died on March 13, 2018, at age 86.Passings: Jimmy Wisner (aka Kokomo), Hitmaker, Songwriter & Producer (1931 - 2018)
accessdate March 16, 2018

Discography

;As Jimmy Wisner *''Blues for Harvey'' ( Felsted Records, 1959) *''Apperception'' ( Chancellor Records, 1960) *''The Jimmy Wisner Sound: Featuring Love Theme from "Romeo and Juliet"'' (

, 1969) ;As Jimmy Wisner Orchestra *''Cast Your Fate To The Wind'' (

Wyncote Records Cameo-Parkway Records was the parent company of Cameo Records and Parkway Records, which were major American Philadelphia-based record labels from 1956 (for Cameo) and 1958 (for Parkway) to 1967. Among the types of music released were doo-wop, ...

, 1964) ;As Kokomo *'' Asia Minor'' (Felsted Records, 1961)

As sideman

With Herbie Mann *'' Our Mann Flute'' (Atlantic, 1966) *''

The Beat Goes On The Beat Goes On, or variants, may refer to: Music Albums * ''The Beat Goes On'' (Herbie Mann album), 1967 * ''The Beat Goes On!'' (Sonny Criss album), 1968 * ''The Beat Goes On'' (Vanilla Fudge album), 1968 * '' The Beat Goes On: The Best of ...

'' (Atlantic, 1967)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Wisner, Jimmy 1931 births 2018 deaths American music arrangers American people of Russian descent Record producers from Pennsylvania Songwriters from Pennsylvania Musicians from Pennsylvania Temple University alumni 20th-century American pianists American male pianists 20th-century American male musicians American male songwriters