Cat Anderson

Kitty Anderson was arguably the best high-note trumpeter ever. His single on “Silk Doll” from Duke Ellington’s 70th Birthday Concert is really a flawlessly coherent chorus comprising notes which are therefore high that it’s doubtful if another trumpeter from most of jazz background could hit several or two. He 1st discovered trumpet while at the Jenkins Orphanage in Charleston and toured using the Carolina Natural cotton Pickers, an organization where he produced his documenting debut. During 1935-1944, Anderson used many organizations including those of Claude Hopkins, Lucky Millinder, Erskine Hawkins, and Lionel Hampton. Hampton adored his high-note mastery, although Hawkins apparently fired Anderson from jealousy. In 1944, Kitty Anderson was initially employed by Duke Ellington and it finished up being an ideal establishing for him. Ellington loved writing difficult parts for Kitty to try out, and Anderson received promotion and a reliable income. He was a lot more than only a high-note participant, being a grasp with mutes and having an excellent firmness in lower registers, but nobody could really problem him within the stratosphere (although Maynard Ferguson, Jon Faddis, and Arturo Sandoval attended close). Anderson was with Ellington during 1944-1947, 1950-1959, and on / off during 1961-1971. Sometimes he would venture out to business lead his own rings but he usually returned. After Ellington’s loss of life, Cat Anderson resolved on the Western Coastline where he frequently played with regional big rings, including a thrilling one led by Expenses Berry.