Skinny Hightower
American jazz pianist
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jason Carroll (born November 12, 1985), known professionally as Skinny Hightower, is an American jazz pianist.[6] In 2020, his album Blue Moon finished as the 14th overall smooth jazz album on the Smooth Jazz Year End Top 100 Album Chart.[7] In the same year, his single "Bittersweet" finished as the sixth overall single on the 2020 Billboard Year-End charts for Smooth Jazz Airplay Songs.[8] Two singles from Blue Moon, the title track "Blue Moon" and "Now or Never", finished 36th and 38th respectively on the 2021 Billboard Year-End charts for Smooth Jazz Airplay Songs.[9] Hightower was also the number seven artist on the 2021 Billboard Year-End Smooth Jazz Airplay Artists list.[10] Hightower's singles "Blue Moon," "Now or Never," and "Taboo" all reached number one on the Smooth Jazz Airplay Billboard charts.[11][12] [13] "Blue Moon" also reached number one on the Smooth Jazz Network Top 20 singles chart.[14]
November 12, 1985
- Piano
- drums
- bass
- vibraphone[1][2][3]
Skinny Hightower | |
|---|---|
Hightower in 2023 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Jason Carroll November 12, 1985 |
| Genres | Jazz, smooth jazz |
| Occupation | Pianist[1] |
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Label | Trippin 'N' Rhythm Records[4][5] |
| Website | skinnyhightower.com |
| Military career | |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Service years | 2012–2017[2] |
| Rank |  Sergeant |
Early life
Hightower was born in Wichita, Kansas on November 12, 1985.[1][15] Hightower's interest in music began at age two when he would sit on his father's lap and play the drums.[1][15][2] His involvement would continue as he later developed a mild interest in piano at age eight and began playing bass at the age of 12.[1] Jazz and gospel were his primary musical influences at the time.[15] Hightower later attended Wichita South High School where he played as a percussionist in the marching band, pep band, jazz band, and concert band.[2]
Music career
2012–2017: Military service and Cloud Nine
In 2012, Skinny Hightower enlisted in the United States Army where he served for five years and was promoted up to the rank of Sergeant.[1][2] He deployed to Afghanistan during the War in Afghanistan for a few months. Four years into his military contract, he recorded and released his first studio album Cloud Nine.[1]
Name origin
Hightower's pseudonym originated as a nickname given to him by his fellow servicemembers.[2] Upon learning that he was a jazz musician, his Army friends called him a skinny Mr. Hightower (played by Steve Harvey) in connection with the 1996 sitcom The Steve Harvey Show.[2]
2020: Blue Moon
In 2020, Skinny Hightower released Blue Moon which spawned the second and third number one Billboard singles of his career.[11][12] The production of the album consisted of the recording of 100 songs of which 24 were selected by a team of 10 individuals.[15][16][17]
Discography
Studio albums
Singles
Collaborations
| Year | Artist | Release | Additional information | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Lin Rountree | Stronger Still | Featured artist, piano | [3] |
| 2019 | Cindy Bradley | The Little Things | Bass, vibraphone | [3] |
Live performances
Festivals
| Year | Title | Role | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Catalina Island Jazztrax Festival | Featured artist | [21] |
| 2019 | Seabreeze Jazz Festival | Featured artist | [22] |