James Booker

Versatile American pianist, born 17 December 1939 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, died 8 November 1983 in the same city.
In the 1950s he recorded rhythm & blues, but had a much broader musical spectrum that included pop songs, the theme from The Godfather, and renditions of Chopin waltzes. Through most of his life he had drug problems, serving several prison sentences due to it and losing his left eye because of it in 1973.

[a10976081] on a 1961 Dave Bartholomew album is probably a contract-related pseudonym, but this needs further research.