Chick Webb
Source: In One Ear
Born William Henry Webb on 10 February 1905 in Baltimore, drummer, Chick Webb, was crippled in a fall during childhood which broke his back, which would cause tuberculosis of the spine, hunched his back, stunted his growth and made walking awkward. He left Maryland for New York City in 1922 (age 17) where he formed his own band, the Harlem Stompers, in 1926. Webb's first recording in 1927, 'Low Levee - High Water', wasn't issued, but he led his first orchestra to fruition possibly in latter 1928 for the soundtrack to 'After Seben' ('After Seven') released on 18 May 1929 [IMDb]. I've not been able to capture exact dates of when this film was recorded. A few sources have it made as early as 1928, others in 1929. The closest I can estimate is circa December 1928, the same as Tom Lord.
'After 'Seben' is historically significant as the first film in which the Lindy Hop appears. “Shorty” George Snowden and his partner, Mattie Purnell, invented the Lindy Hop at a dance marathon in Manhattan in July of 1928, then featured it at various venues including the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem with which dancers in 'After Seben' were associated. The Lindy Hop arrived as the Charleston with a swing out, hence swing in dance was born, just in time for the swing jazz period of which Webb was a major figure. Not all agree that Snowden named the Lindy Hop, but it refers to the pilot, Charles Lindbergh. Black folk called white folk who did the Lindy Hop jitter bugs and the Jitterbug arrived, Cab Calloway recording 'Jitterbug' in 1934 and featuring in the film, 'Jitterbug Party' [IMDb / LOC], in 1935. The great Ella Fitzgerald claims to be a jitterbug further below in 1938.
'After Seben' Chick Webb (drums) and His Orchestra Film
Recorded c Dec 1928 Released 18 May 1929
Chick Webb can be seen for an instant in upper left corner at 7:58
James Barton (black face) performs 'Waitin' for the Evenin' Mail' at 8:34
James Barton introduces dance competition to 'Sweet Sue, Just You' at 11:11
Trumpet: Edwin Swayze / Ward Pinkett
Trombone: Benny Morton
Reeds: Elmer Williams / Bobby Holmes / Hilton Jefferson
Piano: Don Kirkpatrick Banjo: John Trueheart Tuba: Beverley Peer
'Waitin' for the Evenin' Mail' composed by Billy Baskette in 1923
'Sweet Sue, Just You' composed by Victor Young w lyrics by Will J. Harris in 1928
Webb first appeared on vinyl for Brunswick backing the Jungle Band on June 15 of 1929: 'Dog Bottom'. Another session with that band was held on the 27th to yield 'Jungle Mama'. In 1930 Webb performed with Louis Armstrong's 'Hot Chocolate Review'. His next titles as an orchestra leader went down on March 30, 1931: 'Heebie Jeebies', 'Blues in My Heart' and 'Soft and Sweet'.
'Dog Bottom' Chick Webb (drums) and His Jungle Band
Recorded 14 June 1929 in NYC Matrix E30039 Brunswick 4450
Trumpet: Ward Pinkett (vocal) / Edwin Swayze
Trombone: Robert Horton
Alto sax: Hilton Jefferson / Louis Jordan Tenor sax: Elmer Williams
Piano: Don Kirkpatrick Banjo: John Trueheart Tuba: Elmer James
Composition: Webb
'Blues In My Heart' Chick Webb (drums) and His Orchestra
Recorded 30 March 1931 in NYC Matrix E36433-A Brunswick 6156
Trumpet: Shelton Hemphill / Louis Hunt / Louis Bacon (vocal)
Trombone: Jimmy Harrison
Clarinet / sax: Benny Carter (arrangement) / Hilton Jefferson / Elmer Williams
Piano: Don Kirkpatrick Banjo / guitar: John Trueheart Tuba / bass: Elmer James
Composition: Benny Carter / Irving Mills
It was 1931 when Webb secured a residency at the Savoy Ballroom which would be his turf for the next eight years. The Savoy had opened in 1926 with a band led by Fletcher Henderson, joining a couple of other already established jazz venues like the Cotton Club and the Roseland Ballroom. The Cotton Club in Harlem had been opened in 1920 as the Club Deluxe by heavyweight boxing champion, Jack Johnson, its name changed in 1923. It shuttered in 1940. The Roseland Ballroom opened in 1922 and remained so until a final performance by Lady Gaga in 2013. The Savoy itself was shut down in 1958. Webb initially recorded with his Savoy Orchestra on December 30, 1933: 'On the Sunny Side of the Street' and 'At the Darktown Strutter's Ball'. He is likely best-known for 'Stompin' at the Savoy' in 1934.
'Stompin’ at The Savoy' Chick Webb (drums) and His Orchestra
Recorded 18 May 1934 in NYC Matrix 152740-2 Columbia 2926-D
Trumpet: Mario Bauza / Reunauld Jones / Taft Jordan
Trombone: Sandy Williams
Clarinet / alto sax: Pete Clark / Edgar Sampson Tenor sax: Elmer Williams
Piano: Joe Steele Banjo / guitar: John Trueheart Bass: John Kirby
Arrangement: Edgar Sampson Composition: Edgar Sampson 1933
'If It Ain't Love' Chick Webb (drums) and His Orchestra
Recorded 6 July 1934 in NYC Matrix 152777-2 Okeh 41571
Vocal: Charles Litton Composition: Fats Waller / Don Redman / Andy Razaf
It was 1935 when Webb discovered the swing heavyweight, Ella Fitzgerald, she yet a teenager at the time. It was a session on 12 June of which Webb and Fitzgerald released 'I'll Chase the Blues Away', 'Down Home Rag', 'Are You Here to Stay?' and 'Love and Kisses'.
'Don't Be That Way' Chick Webb (drums) and His Orchestra
World transcription 19 Feb 1936 in NYC Polydor 423248
Trumpet: Mario Bauza / Bobby Stark / Wallace Jones
Trombone: Nat Story / Sandy Williams
Clarinet / alto sax: Pete Clark / Edgar Sampson
Clarinet / tenor sax: Wayman Carver / Teddy McRae
Piano: Joe Steele Guitar: John Trueheart Bass: Del Thomas
Arrangement: Edgar Sampson Composition: Edgar Sampson 1935
'Under the Spell of the Blues' Chick Webb (drums) and His Orchestra
7 April 1936 in NYC 61001-A Decca 831
Trumpet: Mario Bauza / Bobby Stark / Taft Jordan
Trombone: Claude Jones / Sandy Williams
Alto sax: Pete Clark (clarinet) / Edgar Sampson
Tenor sax: Teddy McRae Baritone sax: Wayman Carver
Piano: Joe Steele Guitar: John Trueheart Bass: Bill Thomas
Vocal / arrangement: Ella Fitzgerald
Composition: Edgar Sampson / Ken Harrison
'A Little Bit Later On' Chick Webb (drums) and His Orchestra
2 June 1936 in NYC 61125-A Decca 831
Trumpet: Mario Bauza / Bobby Stark / Taft Jordan
Trombone: Nat Story / Sandy Williams
Alto sax: Pete Clark (clarinet) / Edgar Sampson
Tenor sax: Teddy McRae Baritone sax: Wayman Carver
Piano: Joe Steele Guitar: John Trueheart Bass: Bill Thomas
Vocal: Ella Fitzgerald Arrangement: Van Alexander
Composition: Al Neiburg / Jerry Levinson
'You’ll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini)' Chick Webb (drums) and His Orchestra
29 Oct 1936 in NYC 61361-A Decca 1032
Trumpet: Mario Bauza / Bobby Stark / Taft Jordan
Trombone: Sandy Williams / Nat Story
Alto sax: Pete Clark (clarinet) / Edgar Sampson
Tenor sax: Teddy McRae Baritone sax: Wayman Carver
Piano: Tommy Fulford Guitar: John Trueheart Bass: Beverly Peer
Vocal: Ella Fitzgerald Arrangement: Van Alexander
Composition: Sam Coslow
'Vote for Mister Rhythm' Chick Webb (drums) and His Orchestra
29 Oct 1936 in NYC 61361-A Decca 1032
Trumpet: Mario Bauza / Bobby Stark / Taft Jordan
Trombone: Sandy Williams / Nat Story
Alto sax: Pete Clark (clarinet) / Edgar Sampson
Tenor sax: Teddy McRae Baritone sax: Wayman Carver
Piano: Tommy Fulford Guitar: John Trueheart Bass: Beverly Peer
Vocal: Ella Fitzgerald Arrangement: Van Alexander
Composition: Al Siegal / Leo Robin / Ralph Rainger
'You Showed Me the Way' Chick Webb (drums) and His Orchestra
24 March 1937 in NYC 1 of 2 takes both issued on Decca 1220
Vocal: Ella Fitzgerald Arrangement: Van Alexander
Composition: Teddy McRae / Chick Webb/ Ella Fitzgerald / Bubby Green
'I Got a Guy' Chick Webb (drums) and His Orchestra
27 Oct 1937 in NYC Matrix 62726-A Decca 1681
Trumpet: Mario Bauza / Bobby Stark / Taft Jordan
Trombone: Nat Story / Sandy Williams
Alto sax: Chauncey Haughton (clarinet) / Louis Jordan
Tenor sax: Teddy McRae / Wayman Carver
Piano: Tommy Fulford Guitar: Bobby Johnson Bass: Beverly Peer
Vocal: Ella Fitzgerald Arrangement: Van Alexander
Composition: Marion Sunshine
The Savoy was famous for its "Battle of the Bands" in which the "King of Swing" was voted. Webb won over Benny Goodman though lost to Duke Ellington in 1937. He whooped Count Basie in 1938, though not without dispute by musicians.
'Midnight in a Madhouse' Chick Webb (drums) and His Orchestra
17 Dec 1937 in NYC Matrix 62890 Decca 1587
Trumpet: Bobby Stark / Mario Bauza / Taft Jordan
Trombone: Nat Story / Sandy Williams
Alto sax: Louis Jordan / Garvin Bushell (clarinet)
Tenor sax: Teddy McRae / Wayman Carver (flute)
Piano: Tommy Fulford Guitar: Bobby Johnson Bass: Beverly Peer
Composition: Larry Clinton
'A-tisket a-tasket' Chick Webb (drums) and His Orchestra
2 May 1938 in NYC Matrix 63693-A Decca 1840
Trumpet: Mario Bauza / Bobby Stark / Taft Jordan
Trombone: Nat Story / Sandy Williams / George Matthews
Alto sax: Garvin Bushell (clarinet) / Louis Jordan
Tenor sax: Teddy McRae / Wayman Carver
Piano: Tommy Fulford Guitar: Bobby Johnson Bass: Beverly Peer
Vocal: Ella Fitzgerald Arrangement: Van Alexander
Composition: Al Feldman / Ella Fitzgerald
'I'm Just a Jitterbug' Chick Webb (drums) and His Orchestra
2 May 1938 in NYC Matrix 63695-A Decca 1899
Trumpet: Mario Bauza / Bobby Stark / Taft Jordan
Trombone: Nat Story / Sandy Williams / George Matthews
Alto sax: Garvin Bushell (clarinet) / Louis Jordan
Tenor sax: Teddy McRae / Wayman Carver
Piano: Tommy Fulford Guitar: Bobby Johnson Bass: Beverly Peer
Vocal: Ella Fitzgerald Arrangement: Van Alexander
Composition: Jerry Livingston / Mack David
'F.D.R. Jones' Chick Webb (drums) and His Orchestra
6 Oct 1938 in NYC Matrix 64573-A Decca 2105
Trumpet: Dick Vance / Bobby Stark / Taft Jordan
Trombone: Sandy Williams / Nat Story / George Matthews
Alto sax: Hilton Jefferson / Garvin Bushell (clarinet)
Tenor sax: Teddy McRae / Wayman Carver
Piano: Tommy Fulford Guitar: Bobby Johnson Bass: Beverly Peer
Vocal: Ella Fitzgerald Arrangement: Van Alexander
Composition: Harold Rome
'Undecided' Chick Webb (drums) and His Orchestra
17 Feb 1939 in NYC Matrix 65039-A Decca 2323
Vocal: Ella Fitzgerald Arrangement: Van Alexander
Composition: Charles Shavers / Sid Robin
'Coochi-Coochi-Coo' Chick Webb (drums) and His Orchestra
21 April 1939 in NYC Matrix 65447-A Decca 2803
Vocal: Ella Fitzgerald
Composition: Kay Werner / Sue Werner
Webb's last recordings were with Fitzgerald for a radio broadcast from the Southland Cafe in Boston on May 4, 1939. He and his band also put away several instrumentals:
'Poor Little Rich Girl' Chick Webb (drums) and His Orchestra
Radio broadcast from the Southland Cafe in Boston on 4 May 1939
From Webb's final recording session
Collector's Classics CC 11 1971
Trumpet: Bobby Stark / Dick Vance / Taft Jordan
Trombone: George Matthews / Nat Story / Sandy Williams
Sax: George Bushell / Hilton Jefferson / Teddy McRae / Wayman Carver
Piano: Tommy Fulford Guitar: Bobby Johnson / John Trueheart Bass: Beverly Peer
Composition: Noel Coward 1938
'Breakin' 'Em Down' Chick Webb (drums) and His Orchestra
Radio broadcast from the Southland Cafe in Boston on 4 May 1939
From Webb's final recording session
Collector's Classics CC 11 1971
Trumpet: Bobby Stark / Dick Vance / Taft Jordan
Trombone: George Matthews / Nat Story / Sandy Williams
Sax: George Bushell / Hilton Jefferson / Teddy McRae / Wayman Carver
Piano: Tommy Fulford Guitar: Bobby Johnson / John Trueheart Bass: Beverly Peer
'Stars & Stripes Forever' Chick Webb (drums) and His Orchestra
Radio broadcast from the Southland Cafe in Boston on 4 May 1939
From Webb's final recording session
Collector's Classics CC 11 1971
Trumpet: Bobby Stark / Dick Vance / Taft Jordan
Trombone: George Matthews / Nat Story / Sandy Williams
Sax: George Bushell / Hilton Jefferson / Teddy McRae / Wayman Carver
Piano: Tommy Fulford Guitar: Bobby Johnson / John Trueheart Bass: Beverly Peer
Composition: John Philip Sousa 1896
'My Wild Irish Rose' Chick Webb (drums) and His Orchestra
Radio broadcast from the Southland Cafe in Boston on 4 May 1939
From Webb's final recording session
Collector's Classics CC 11 1971
Trumpet: Bobby Stark / Dick Vance / Taft Jordan
Trombone: George Matthews / Nat Story / Sandy Williams
Sax: George Bushell / Hilton Jefferson / Teddy McRae / Wayman Carver
Piano: Tommy Fulford Guitar: Bobby Johnson / John Trueheart Bass: Beverly Peer
Composition: Chauncey Olcott
Unfortunately Webb's great talent was cut short at the young age of 34 when spinal tuberculosis claimed his life on June 16 of 1939. "I'm sorry, I've got to go" were reportedly his last words.
Sources & References for Jazz Dance: Swing:
The Jitterbug:
The Lindy Hop:
Library of Dance (variations)
Howard Spring (Swing and the Lindy Hop / American Music Vol.15 No.2 / 1997)
Sources & References for Jazz Venues: New York City:
The Cotton Club / Harlem / 1920-1940:
Samantha King (The Staple Of Black Talent In The Harlem Renaissance / 2021)
Colony Little (A Tale of Two Harlems / 2022)
Maureen Maryanski (The Aristocrat of Harlem / 2016)
The Roseland Ballroom / Manhattan / 1922-2013:
The Savoy Ballroom / Harlem / 1926-1958:
Savoy Plaque (timeline)
Sources & References for Chick Webb:
Candace Brown (review of The Savoy King / 2012)
Donald Clarke (Music Box)
Richard S. Ginell (All Music)
Christopher Popa (Big Band Library)
VF History (notes)
Associates Musical:
George Snowden / dancer / inventor of the Lindy Hop / (1904-1982):
Bruce Boyd Raeburn Wikipedia World Swing Dance Council
Compositions: Second Hand Songs
Documentaries:
The Savoy King: Chick Webb & the Music That Changed America / Jeff Kaufman / 2012:
Boston Arts Diary IMDb Variety
Chick Webb in Film: IMDb
After Seben / 1929:
20s Jazz EstiloSwing IMDb Jazz Lives Library of Congress
Recordings: Catalogs: 45 Worlds Discogs RYM
Recordings: Compilations:
The Best of Chick Webb and His Orchestra with Ella Fitzgerald / MCA Records MCA2-4107 / 1976
The Complete Chick Webb & Ella Fitzgerald Decca Sessions (1934-41) / Mosaic Records MD8-252 / 2013:
Swingmusic from The Southland Cafe, Boston / final recordings w Ella Fitzgerald 4 May 1939
Swingmusic from The Southland Cafe, Boston / final recordings instrumental 4 May 1939
The Ultimate Collection / 2008: Last.fm Music Brainz
Recordings: Sessions:
DAHR (1927-39)
Jan Evensmo (solography 1929-1939)
Tom Lord (leading 47 of 58 sessions 1929-1939)
Further Reading:
Alice Nicholas (Black Perspectives)
James Robbins (Percussive Arts Society)
Bibliography:
Stephanie Crease / Rhythm Man / Oxford University Press / 2013:
Jazz Lives Jerry Jazz Musician Bruce Klauber Steve Provizer Alex Teplitzky
Krin Gabbard / Representing Jazz / Duke University Press / 1995
Steven Otfinoski / African Americans in the Performing Arts / Facts On File Inc. / 2010
Authority Search: VIAF
Other Profiles: Curtis Jackson Off Beat Gary Price (Syncopated Times)
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