Noel Pointer - East St. Louis Melody 1981

Biography by Ron Wynn: Violinist Noel Pointer studied classical violin before he signed with Blue Note as a jazz musician in the early '70s. His releases of light instrumental pop and fusion also included guest stints by vocalists. Pointer moved to United Artists in 1978, and his Hold On LP had Patti Austin as the featured singer. He later included contributions from the Jones Girls and Patrice Rushen on future releases for UA, and then moved to Liberty in 1981. Pointer recorded with Norman Connors and did sessions for several other artists. He resurfaced in 1993 on a Shanachie date, Never Lose Your Heart, which would prove to be his final album -- Noel Pointer died from a stroke on December 19, 1994 at the age of 39.