Jimmy Forrest was an influential American jazz musician, born James Robert Forrest Jr. on January 24, 1920, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was renowned for his skill on the tenor saxophone, a talent he honed from a young age in the vibrant musical environment of St. Louis. Forrest's career spanned from 1935 until his death in 1980, during which he made significant contributions to jazz, R&B, and blues.

Forrest's early career included playing with notable bands such as those led by Fate Marable and Jay McShann. He was part of Andy Kirk's orchestra from 1942 to 1948 and briefly played with the legendary Duke Ellington. His tenure with these bands helped him develop a distinctive sound characterized by a warm, resonant tone and rhythmic precision.

In 1951, Forrest achieved widespread fame with his recording of "Night Train," which reached No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart and remained there for seven weeks. This track, along with hits like "Hey Mrs. Jones" and "Bolo Blues," solidified his reputation in the music world. Throughout the 1950s, Forrest led his own combos and collaborated with artists such as Miles Davis, Harry "Sweets" Edison, and Al Grey.

Later in his career, Forrest continued to perform with notable musicians and appeared in the 1979 film "The Last of the Blue Devils." He was also part of an all-star lineup in New York during the late 1970s. Forrest's music was a favorite of heavyweight boxer Sonny Liston, who often listened to his work during training sessions.

Jimmy Forrest passed away from heart failure on August 26, 1980, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he had settled with his wife, Betty Tardy. His legacy lives on through his recordings and the indelible mark he left on the jazz and R&B genres.