Career
Forrest is famous for his first solo recording of "Night Train". lieutenant reached Number. 1 on the Billboard Rhythm & Blues chart in March 1952, and stayed at the top for seven weeks. "Hey Mistress Jones" (Number 3 Rhythm & Blues) and "Bolo Blues" were his other major hits.
All were made for United Records, which recorded Forrest between 1951 and 1953.
He recorded frequently as both a sideman and a bandleader. Born in Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, Forrest played alongside Fate Marable as a young manitoba
He was with Jay McShann in 1940-1942 and with Andy Kirk from 1942 until 1948 when he joined Duke Ellington. During the early 1950s, Forrest led his own combos.
He also played with Miles Davis, in early 1952 at The Barrel Club.
After his solo career, he played in small combos with Harry "Sweets" Edison and First Rate (at Lloyd's) Grey, as well as appearing with Count Basie. Late in life Forrest married Betty Tardy, and settled in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he died in August 1980, aged 60. Other media
Forrest performs an extended version of "Night Train" with the Basie Orchestra in the 1979 film Last of the Blue Devils.
Forrest"s version of "Night Train" was the theme song of a nightly rhythm and blues radio program in the Houston, Texas market.
Also called Night Train, the program was hosted by William A. "Rascal" McCaskill, and was broadcast on KREL-Department of Administration and Management from 1954 to 1957. During the late 1970s Forrest appeared with an all-star lineup in New York including Howard McGhee on trumpet, John Hicks on piano, Major Holley on bass, and Charli Persip on drums.