American jazz bassist, arranger, and composer born John W. Pate on December 5, 1923, in Chicago Heights, Illinois; died December 21, 2024. Best known as the arranger for Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions during their 1960s peak ("People Get Ready," "It's All Right").
Released jazz albums under his own name including Swingin' Flute (1958). As a composer scored blaxploitation films including Shaft in Africa (1973) and Bucktown (1975). Active in Chicago studio work for decades.
