Vic Dickenson

Vic Dickenson

Source:  Swing Time

Born on 8 August 1906 in Xeniz, Ohio, trombonist, Vic Dickenson's career spanned early to modern jazz while generally performing Dixieland swing. He first played professionally in 1921 with the Elite Syncopators, then performed with a number of local and territory bands until possibly making his debut recordings on trombone in November of 1927 with Willie Jones and his Orchestra for Gennett at its studios in Richmond, Indiana, to result in 'Ragamuffin Stomp' (6370), 'Michigan Stomp' (6326) and 'Bugs' (6326). This is, however, tentative: Brian Rust credits Sam Searce at trombone, concerning which Tom Lord offers no reason why he adds Dickenson as a possibility. Dickenson's first recording was more certainly as a vocalist with the orchestra of Luis Russell on 17 December 1930 toward 'Honey, That Reminds Me' on Brunswick 6046. Lord cites the CD, 'Vic Dickenson: Nice Work: 1930-1961' on Retrospective RTR4294. Dickenson's next issues were in 1934 with Blanche Calloway per a session in August in Chicago leading to another in New York City the next year. Dickenson would arrive to national stature as a studio musician in NYC. The majority of his career consisted of freelancing in bands welcoming his mastery of trombone.

'Honey, That Reminds Me'   Vic Dickenson (vocal) w the Luis Russell Orchestra

17 Dec 1930 in NYC   Matrix E-35760   Brunswick 6046

Trumpet: Henry Red Allen / Otis Johnson   Trombone: J.C. Higginbotham

Clarinet / alto sax: Albert Nicholas   Alto sax / soprano sax: Charlie Holmes

Tenor sax: Greely Walton   Piano: Luis Russell

Banjo / guitar: Will Johnson   String bass: George Pops Foster

Vibes / drums: Paul Barbarin

Composition: John Nesbitt

'I Gotta Swing'   Vic Dickenson w Blanche Calloway and Her Band

6 Nov 1935 in NYC   Matrix 18241-1   Vocalion 3112

Trumpet: Richard Jones / Tommy Stevenson / Archie Johnson

Trombone: Eli Robinson / Vic Dickenson

Alto sax: Joe Eldridge / Chauncey Haughton

Tenor sax: Alvin Campbell / Prince Robinson

Piano: Clyde Hart   Guitar: Earl Baker

String bass: Abbie Baker   Drums: Percy Johnson

Composition: Calloway / Robison   From Benny Goodman's 'King Porter Stomp'

In 1936 Dickenson began three years with Claude Hopkins before working with Benny Carter in 1939 and Count Basie in 1940. It was with Carter that Dickenson first recorded with pianist, Eddie Heywood. Dickenson supported Heywood's operations frequently into 1946, including vocalists such as Billie Holiday and Bing Crosby. Though Heywood was a virtuosic piano player he is not profiled in these histories. He is therefore featured below in the film, 'Junior Prom', made in latter 1945 toward release in early 1946 (not to be confused with the educational film on social etiquette, 'Junior Prom', also of 1946).

'Sunday'   Vic Dickenson w Claude Hopkins and His Orchestra

2 Feb 1937 in NYC   Matrix 61567-A   Decca 1153

Trumpet: Shirley Clay / Jabbo Smith / Lincoln Mills

Trombone: Floyd Brady / Fred Norman / Vic Dickenson

Alto sax: Gene Johnson / Chauncey Haughton / Ben Smith

Tenor sax: Bobby Sands

Piano: Claude Hopkins   Guitar: Walter Jones

String bass: Abe Bolar   Drums: Pete Jacobs

Vocal: Beverley White as Baby White

Composition: Bennie Krueger / Chester Cohn / Jule Stein / Ned Miller

'Savoy Stampede'   Vic Dickenson w Benny Carter and His Orchestra

29 June 1939 in NYC   Matrix WM-1047-A   Vocalion 5112 / Columbia D.B. 2312

Trumpet: Joe Thomas / Lincoln Mills / George Woodlen

Trombone: Jimmy Archey / Vic Dickenson / Tyree Glenn (vibraphone)

Alto sax: Benny Carter / James Powell / Carl Frye

Tenor sax: Ernie Powell / Castor McCord

Piano: Eddie Heywood Jr   Guitar: Ulysses Livingston

String bass: Hayes Alvis   Drums: Henry Morrison

Composition: Benny Carter

'Five O'Clock Whistle'   Vic Dickenson (trombone) w the Count Basie Orchestra

19 Nov 1940 in NYC   Matrix 29087-1   OKeh 5922

Piano: Basie   Tenor sax: Lester Young   Arrangement: Don Redman

Music: Josef Myrow / Gene Irwin   Lyrics: Kim Gannon

'Loch Lomond'   Vic Dickenson w the Eddie Heywood Orchestra

Recorded late 1945 for the film 'Junior Prom' released 17 Feb 1946

Trumpet: Harry Parr Jones   Trombone: Vic Dickenson / Henry Coker

 Alto sax: Marshall Royal as Ernie Shepard

Piano: Heywood   Drums: Charlie Blackwell

Composition: Wikipedia

Trumpeter, Bobby Hackett, was one of Dickenson's frequent session partners, they first recording together in the Jubilee Allstars to back Peggy Lee in 1945 on 'You Was Right, Baby'. He supported Kay Starr in 1946 as well. Dickenson's first issues as a leader were recorded in late 1947 in Los Angeles with his Sextet consisting of Jack Trainor (trumpet), Jewell Grant (alto sax), JD King (tenor sax), Skip Johnson (piano / arrangement), Billy Hadnott (bass) and Chico Hamilton (drums as Forrest Hamilton).

'Love Me or Leave Me'   Vic Dickenson w Kay Starr (vocal) and the All Stars

12 Dec 1945 in Hollywood   Matrix A2988   Lamplighter 110

Trumpet: Ray Linn   Trombone: Vic Dickenson   Clarinet: Barney Bigard

Alto sax: Willie Smith   Piano: Calvin Jackson   Guitar: Allan Reuss

String bass: Red Callender   Drums: Zutty Singleton

Composition: Walter Donaldson / Gus Kahn

'Sweet Lorraine'   Vic Dickenson w Kay Starr (vocal) and the All Stars

12 Dec 1945 in Hollywood   Matrix A2990   Lamplighter 110

Trumpet: Ray Linn   Trombone: Vic Dickenson   Clarinet: Barney Bigard

Alto sax: Willie Smith   Piano: Calvin Jackson   Guitar: Allan Reuss

String bass: Red Callender   Drums: Zutty Singleton

Composition: Clifford Burwell / Mitchell Parish

'St. Louis Blues'   Vic Dickenson and His Sextet

Late 1947 in Los Angeles   Supreme 103

Trumpet: Jack Trainor   Trombone: Vic Dickenson (vocal)

Alto sax: Jewell Grant   Tenor sax: J.D. King

Piano: Skip Jones (arrangement)

String bass: Billy Hadnott   Drums: Chico Hamilton as Forrest Hamilton

Composition: W.C. Handy   1914

'Russian Lullaby'   Vic Dickenson (trombone) Septet

29 Dec 1953 in NYC   'Vic Dickenson Septet' Vol 1 on Vanguard VRS8001

Trumpet: Ruby Braff   Clarinet: Edmond Hall

Piano: Sir Charles Thompson   Guitar: Steve Jordan

String bass: Walter Page   Drums: Les Erskine

Composition: Irving Berlin

'I Cover the Waterfront'   Vic Dickenson (trombone) Septet

29 Dec 1953 in NYC   'Vic Dickenson Septet' Vol 2 on Vanguard VRS8002

Trumpet: Ruby Braff   Clarinet: Edmond Hall

Piano: Sir Charles Thompson   Guitar: Steve Jordan

String bass: Walter Page   Drums: Les Erskine

Composition: Sir Charles Thompson

In 1957 Dickenson participated in the CBS broadcast of 'The Sound of Jazz' with Henry Red Allen's All Stars. He performed with Allen on several occasions including the orchestra of Claude Hopkins possibly in autumn of 1958 toward the album, 'Music of the Early Jazz Dances'. Slightly earlier in July he had performed at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes where he was joined by Roy Eldridge on not only trumpet, but drums. Dickenson and Red Richards recorded several albums with their Saints and Sinners from 1962 to 1968. It's with the latter ensemble that Tom Lord lists Dickenson's first recording of his composition, 'I'll Try'. He and Eddie Condon toured Asia in 1964 prior to beginning to work with Bobby Hackett again in 1968.

'Basin Street Blues'   Vic Dickenson (trombone) w the Metropole All Stars

11 Jan 1958 at the Metropole Cafe in NYC   Red Allen RA-CD-17

Trumpet: Henry Red Allen   Clarinet: Buster Bailey

Tenor sax: Coleman Hawkins   Organ: Claude Hopkins

String bass: Eugene Ramey   Drums: Eddie Moule Bourne

Composition: Spencer Williams

'Yellow Dog Blues'   Vic Dickenson (trombone) w the Metropole All Stars

8 March 1958 at the Metropole Cafe in NYC   Red Allen RA-CD-17

Trumpet: Henry Red Allen   Clarinet: Buster Bailey

Organ: Claude Hopkins

String bass: Eugene Ramey   Drums: Eddie Moule Bourne

Composition: W.C. Handy   1915

'Undecided'   Vic Dickenson (trombone)   Filmed live

8 July 1958 at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France

Trumpet: Roy Eldridge   Clarinet: Hubert Rostaing

Alto sax / bass sax: Michel de Villers   Tenor sax: Coleman Hawkins

Piano: Lou Levy   String bass: Arvell Shaw   Drums: J.C. Heard

Music: Charlie Shavers   1938   Lyrics: Sid Robin

'Sweet Georgia Brown'   Vic Dickenson (trombone)   Filmed live

10 July 1958 at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France

Trumpet: Teddy Buckner   Clarinet / soprano sax: Sidney Bechet

Piano: Sammy Price   String bass: Arvell Shaw   Drums: Roy Eldridge

Music: Ben Bernie / Maceo Pinkard   1925   Lyrics: Kenneth Casey

'Once In a While'   Vic Dickenson (trombone)   Filmed live

10 July 1958 at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France

Trumpet: Teddy Buckner   Clarinet / soprano sax: Sidney Bechet

Piano: Sammy Price   String bass: Arvell Shaw   Drums: Roy Eldridge

Music: Michael Edwards   1937   Lyrics: Bud Green

'Rosetta'   Vic Dickenson (trombone)   Filmed live

10 July 1958 at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France

Trumpet: Teddy Buckner   Clarinet / soprano sax: Sidney Bechet

Piano: Sammy Price   String bass: Arvell Shaw   Drums: Roy Eldridge

Music: Earl Hines   1933   Lyrics: Henri Woode

On 17 and 18 of April 1970 the World's Greatest Jazz Band recorded 'The World's Greatest Jazz Band' live at the Roosevelt Grill in NYC. The Worlds Greatest Jazz Band was an all-star configuration dedicated to Dixieland jazz which operated from 1968 to 1978. Formed by Dick Gibson, the band was co-led by Yank Lawson and Bob Haggart [Discogs / Wikipedia / Yanow]. Come summer of 1970 Dickenson appeared on the 'Just Jazz' television show which aired from 1970 into 1971. He recorded his album, 'Vic Dickenson Plays Bessie Smith', in March of 1976 prior to supporting both Leon Redbone and Tony Bennett in 1977. He backed Alberta Hunter in 1978, Helen Ward in 1979, then Hunter again in the early eighties. In 1982 he recorded the album, 'Blowin' Bubbles', with pianist, Ralph Sutton. Dickenson was notably ill with cancer by this time. Tom Lord traces him to as late as December of 1983 at the Manassas Jazz Festival in Virginia whence was recorded 'Johnny Blowers and Friends'. Discogs prefers a date of 26 November 1983. These dates seem to contradict elsewhere as well, but I've not been able to locate an authoritative tiebreaker. If Discogs is correct then Dickenson's final recordings listed by Lord would be on 28 November of 1983 in support of vocalist, Barbara Lea, toward her album 'Do It Again'.

'My Honey's Lovin' Arms'   Vic Dickenson w The World's Greatest Jazz Band

From the album 'The World's Greatest Jazz Band' on Atlantic SD 1570 / 1970

Album recorded at the Roosevelt Grill in NYC on 17 and 18 April 1970

Trumpet: Yank Lawson / Billy Butterfield (flugelhorn)

Trombone: Lou McGarity / Vic Dickenson   Clarinet: Bob Wilber

Tenor sax: Bud Freeman   Piano: Ralph Sutton

String bass: Bob Haggart   Drums: Gus Johnson

Music: Joseph Meyer / Herman Ruby   1922   Lyrics: Herman Ruby

'Just Jazz'   Vic Dickenson (trombone)   Television

'Just Jazz' by WTTW TV in Chicago for PBS

Trumpet: Bobby Hackett   Piano: Lou Forestieri

String bass: Franklyn Skeete   Drums: Don DeMicheal

Program:

'Tin Roof Blues'   Comp: New Orleans Rhythm Kings 1923

 'Oh! By Jingo'   Comp: Albert Von Tilzer 1919

'Meditation'   Comp: Antônio Carlos Jobim 1959

'Take the 'A Train'   Comp: Billy Strayhorn 1939

'Four'   Comp: Miles Davis 1954

'Jitterbug Waltz'   Comp: Fats Waller 1942

'I'll Try'   Comp: Vic Dickenson 1965?

'Swing That Music'   Comp: Lois Armstrong 1936

'Trombone Cholly: Vic Dickenson Plays Bessie Smith'   Album

31 March 1976 at CI Studio in NYC

Trumpet: Joe Newman   Trombone: Vic Dickenson   Tenor sax: Frank Wess

Piano: Raymond Tunia   String bass: Milt Hinton   Drums: Jackie Williams

'S'Wonderful'   Vic Dickenson (trombone) w Johnny Blowers and Friends

26 Nov or Dec 1983 at the Manassas Jazz Festival in Virginia

Trumpet: Billy Butterfield   Clarinet: Johnny Mince   Piano: Dill Jones

Guitar: Steve Jordan   String bass: Warren Vache Sr   Drums: Johnny Blowers

Composition: George and Ira Gershwin   1927 for the Broadway musical 'Funny Face'

'Do It Again!'   Vic Dickenson (trombone) backing Barbara Lea

28 Nov 1983 in Falls Church, Virginia

Trumpet: Billy Butterfield   Clarinet: Johnny Mince

Piano / arrangement: Larry Eanet

Guitar: Wayne Wright   String bass: Tommy Cecil   Drums: Johnny Blowers

Music: George Gershwin / Buddy DeSylva   1922 for the Broadway musical 'The French Doll'

Dickenson died of cancer on 16 November 1984 in New York City [obit].