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Hilton Jefferson
Hilton Jefferson (July 30, 1903 – November 14, 1968) was an American jazz alto saxophonist born in Danbury, Connecticut, United States, perhaps best known for leading the saxophone section from 1940–1949 in the Cab Calloway band. Jefferson is said to have been "a soft, delicate saxophone player, with an exquisite sensibility." In 1929, Jefferson began his professional career with Claude Hopkins, and throughout the 1930s was busy working for the big bands of Chick Webb, Fletcher Henderson and McKinney's Cotton Pickers. From 1952–1953, Jefferson performed with Duke Ellington, but ultimately became a bank guard to support himself with a steady income. In the 1950s, he continued to perform, especially with Rex Stewart and some former members of Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra. Discography With Dizzy Gillespie * ''Afro'' (Norgran, 1954) * ''Dizzy and Strings'' (Norgran, 1954) * ''Jazz Recital'' (Norgran, 1955) * ''The Big Band Sound of Dizzy Gillespie'' (Verve, 1973) With Re ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Danbury, Connecticut
Danbury is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, located approximately northeast of New York City. Danbury's population as of 2022 was 87,642. It is the seventh largest city in Connecticut. Danbury is nicknamed the "Hat City" because it was the center of the American hat industry for a period in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The mineral danburite is named for Danbury while the city itself is named for Danbury in Essex, England. Danbury is home to Danbury Hospital, Western Connecticut State University, Danbury Fair Mall and Danbury Municipal Airport. In November 2015, ''USA Today'' ranked Danbury as the second best city to live in the United States. In April 2021, ''WalletHub'' ranked Danbury as the 10th most diverse city in the United States, the most diverse city in New England, and the third most diverse city in the New York metropolitan area (behind Jersey City and New York City). The ranking considers socioeconomic, cultural, economic, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dizzy Gillespie
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie (; October 21, 1917 – January 6, 1993) was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer, educator and singer. He was a trumpet virtuoso and improviser, building on the virtuosic style of Roy Eldridge but adding layers of harmonic and rhythmic complexity previously unheard in jazz. His combination of musicianship, showmanship, and wit made him a leading popularizer of the new music called bebop. His beret and horn-rimmed spectacles, scat singing, bent horn, pouched cheeks, and light-hearted personality provided one of bebop's most prominent symbols. In the 1940s, Gillespie, with Charlie Parker, became a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz. He taught and influenced many other musicians, including trumpeters Miles Davis, Jon Faddis, Fats Navarro, Clifford Brown, Arturo Sandoval, Lee Morgan, Chuck Mangione, and balladeer Johnny Hartman. He pioneered Afro-Cuban jazz and won several Grammy Awards. Scott Yanow wrote, "Dizzy ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Al Sears
Albert Omega Sears (February 21, 1910 – March 23, 1990) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and bandleader, sometimes credited as Big Al Sears. Sears was born in Macomb, Illinois, United States. His first major gig came in 1928 when he replaced Johnny Hodges in Chick Webb's ensemble. Following this he played with Elmer Snowden (1931–32), then led his own groups between 1933 and 1941. In the early 1940s he was with Andy Kirk (1941–42) and Lionel Hampton (1943-44) before he became a member of Duke Ellington's Orchestra in 1944, replacing Ben Webster. He remained with Ellington until 1949, when first Jimmy Forrest and then Paul Gonsalves took over his chair. He played with Johnny Hodges in 1951–52 and recorded the tune "Castle Rock" with him; the tune became a hit but was released under Hodges's name. Sears was in Alan Freed's band when Freed did live shows, being introduced as "Big Al Sears." He played as a studio musician on R&B albums in the 1950s and recorded ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tina Louise
Tina Louise ( Blacker; born February 11, 1934) is an American actress widely known for her role as movie star Ginger Grant in the CBS television situation comedy ''Gilligan's Island''. With the death of Dawn Wells in 2020, Louise became the last surviving cast member of the TV series. She began her career on stage in the mid-1950s before landing her breakthrough role in 1958 drama film ''God's Little Acre'' for which she received the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year. Louise had starring roles in '' The Trap'', '' The Hangman'', ''Day of the Outlaw'', and '' For Those Who Think Young''. She also appeared in '' The Wrecking Crew'', ''The Happy Ending'', and ''The Stepford Wives'' (1975). Early life Born Tina Blacker on February 11, 1934 in New York City, by the time she was four years old her parents had divorced. She was an only child and was raised by her mother Sylvia (née Horn), later Myers, a fashion model. Tina's father, Joseph Blacker, was a candy store own ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Things Ain't What They Used To Be (Prestige Swing Festival Album)
''Things Ain't What They Used to Be'' is an album by the First Annual Prestige Swing Festival featuring two all-star groups, one including Coleman Hawkins, Hilton Jefferson, Jimmy Hamilton and Joe Newman and the other led by Al Sears with Buddy Tate, Pee Wee Russell and Joe Thomas which was recorded in 1961 and first released on the Swingville label as a double album before being reissued as two single discs with Hawkins name prominently displayed; ''Things Ain't What They Used to Be'' and ''Years Ago''. Retrieved May 9, 2019 All tracks were also reissued as ''Jam Session in Swingville'' which was credited to Hawkins and Russell. Reception The re ...[...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Coleman Hawkins
Coleman Randolph Hawkins (November 21, 1904 – May 19, 1969), nicknamed "Hawk" and sometimes "Bean", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist.Yanow, Scot"Coleman Hawkins: Artist Biography" AllMusic. Retrieved December 27, 2013. One of the first prominent jazz musicians on his instrument, as Joachim E. Berendt explained: "there were some tenor players before him, but the instrument was not an acknowledged jazz horn". Hawkins biographer John Chilton described the prevalent styles of tenor saxophone solos prior to Hawkins as "mooing" and "rubbery belches." Hawkins cited as influences Happy Caldwell, Stump Evans, and Prince Robinson, although he was the first to tailor his method of improvisation to the saxophone rather than imitate the techniques of the clarinet. Hawkins' virtuosic, arpeggiated approach to improvisation, with his characteristic rich, emotional, and vibrato-laden tonal style, was the main influence on a generation of tenor players that included Chu Berry, Charlie Bar ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
All About Memphis
''All About Memphis'' is an album by clarinetist Buster Bailey which was recorded in 1958 and released on the Felsted label. Retrieved July 6, 2017 Reception Scott Yanow of states, "Buster Bailey was one of the top clarinetists to emerge during the 1920s but he led relatively few sessions throughout his long career. ... In addition to W.C. Handy tunes, the other five songs are Bailey originals that mix together swing and the flavor of New Orleans jazz. It's a fine outing for the classic clarinetist". On |
Buster Bailey
William C. "Buster" Bailey (July 19, 1902 – April 12, 1967) was an American jazz clarinetist. Career history Early career Buster Bailey was taught clarinet by classical teacher Franz Schoepp, who also taught Benny Goodman. Bailey gained his start with W.C. Handy, W.C. Handy's Orchestra in 1917, when he was just fifteen years old. After two years of touring with Handy, Bailey quit the orchestra while the band was in Chicago. In 1919, Bailey joined Erskine Tate, Erskine Tate's Vendome Orchestra and remained with Tate until 1923 when he joined up with King Oliver, Joe "King" Oliver. As a member of King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band, Bailey met and became friends with Louis Armstrong, who was also a member of the band at that time. In 1924, Armstrong left King Oliver's Jazz Band to join Fletcher Henderson, Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra in New York. Within a month, Armstrong extended an invitation for Buster Bailey to join him as a member of Henderson's band. Bailey accepted and moved ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cootie Williams
Charles Melvin "Cootie" Williams (July 10, 1911 – September 15, 1985) was an American jazz, jump blues, and rhythm and blues trumpeter. Biography Born in Mobile, Alabama, Williams began his professional career at the age of 14 with the Young Family band, which included saxophonist Lester Young. According to Williams he acquired his nickname as a boy when his father took him to a band concert. When it was over his father asked him what he'd heard and he replied, "Cootie, cootie, cootie." In 1928, he made his first recordings with pianist James P. Johnson in New York, where he also worked briefly in the bands of Chick Webb and Fletcher Henderson. Williams rose to prominence as a member of Duke Ellington's orchestra when the band was playing at the Cotton Club, with which he first performed from 1929 to 1940. He also recorded his own sessions during this time, both freelance and with other Ellington sidemen. Williams was renowned for his "jungle"-style trumpet playing (in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Porgy & Bess Revisited
''Porgy & Bess Revisited'', subtitled ''Played by a Very Unusual Cast'', is an album of jazz interpretations of songs from the George Gershwin opera Porgy and Bess performed by cornetist Rex Stewart and trumpeter Cootie Williams, with saxophonists Hilton Jefferson and Pinky Williams and trombonist Lawrence Brown, that was recorded in late 1958 and released on the Warner Bros. label.Edwards, D., Eyries, P. & Callahan, MBoth Sides Now: Warner Brothers Album Discography, Part 1: B/BS-1201 to 2N/2NS-1399 (1958-1960) accessed December 3, 2018 Reception Scott Yanow of AllMusic states, "The two lead characters are played instrumentally by swing all-stars. Cornetist Rex Stewart portrays Sportin' Life, trumpeter Cootie Williams (who emerges as the main star) is Porgy, altoist Hilton Jefferson is Bess and trombonist Lawrence Brown is both Serena and Clara. Somehow it all works. Jim Timmens' arrangements for the big band keeps the momentum going, making this a surprisingly successful effort ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Henderson Homecoming
''Henderson Homecoming'' is a live album performed by cornetist Rex Stewart with the Fletcher Henderson Alumni that was recorded at the Great South Bay Jazz Festival in 1958 and released on the United Artists label.Edwards, D., Eyries, P. & Callahan, MBoth Sides Now: United Artists UAL-40000/UAL 4000 mono/UAS 5000 stereo Series Retrieved December 27, 2018 Reception Scott Yanow of AllMusic states: "This live concert from 1958 by what was billed as 'the Fletcher Henderson Alumni' and led by cornetist Rex Stewart should have been an artistic success, particularly since a similar group the previous year had recorded a classic studio album. Unfortunately, much of the music is extremely ragged, sloppily played, and under-rehearsed. There are some fine players on this concert (none of whom are identified on the LP), but relatively few ever played with Henderson. In addition, the repertoire (which only includes two Henderson songs) is particularly odd, with an irrelevant three-song balla ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rendezvous With Rex
''Rendezvous with Rex'' is an album by cornetist Rex Stewart which was recorded in 1958 and released on the Felsted label. Retrieved June 30, 2017 Reception Scott Yanow of states: "This interesting and well-rounded LP has two separate sessions originally cut for the Felsted label. Cornetist Rex Stewart is fiery on the first date, jamming on a trio of his worthy but obscure originals ... The three numbers from the later date have moody arrangements ... Superior music that will hopefully resurface". |
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