title: Big Jay McNeely
text: Cecil James McNeely (April 29, 1927 – September 16, 2018), better known as Big Jay McNeely, was an American rhythm and blues saxophonist. He was born in Los Angeles, California. McNeely's first hit was "The Deacon's Hop,"  an instrumental which was at the top of the Billboard R&B chart in early 1949. He was added into The Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame.
  
  McNeely died on September 16, 2018 from prostate cancer in Moreno Valley, California at the age of 91.
  
  References
  
  Other websites
  Official Website Big Jay McNeely 
  Big Jay McNeely MySpace page
  Big Jay McNeely  page at This is Vintage Now
   Dozens of vintage photos and album covers
  McNeely stage performance photograph at Soulpatrol.com
  Big Jay McNeely and "Detroit" Gary Wiggins - Saxomania Tour Europe
  NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Oral History Interview with Big Jay McNeely May 23, 2013
  
  1927 births
  2018 deaths
  Deaths from prostate cancer
  Cancer deaths in California
  American saxophonists
  American R&B musicians
  American soul musicians
  Musicians from Los Angeles