The 27's - Nat Jaffe 1918 - 1945

Part 2 of a series on the 27’s – notable musicians who have passed away in their 27th year.

The next member of the 27’s is swing pianist Nat Jaffe.

Nat was born January 1, 1918 and at the age to three moved to Berlin Germany where he lived until 1932. While growing up in Germany he was schooled in classical piano. When Jaffe returned to the United States at the age of 14 he discovered jazz piano and through the late 30’s he played with many of the notable musicians of the day, working with Jan Savitt, Joe Marsala, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Charlie Barnet, Jack Teagarden and Sarah Vaughan.

Three of his solo piano pieces were recorded in 1938, but not released by Onyx Records until 1974 as part of a compilation album. Along with his solo work and collaborations Nat was also the leader of the Nat Jaffe Trio which included guitarist Remo Palmieri and bassist Leo Guarnieri. At the time of his death he was recording with another group, Nat Jaffe and his V-Disc Jumpers that featured Don Byas and Flip Phillips on tenor saxophone, Charlie Shavers on trumpet and Specs Powell on drums.

Jaffe died in 1945 as a result of complications from high blood pressure.