Don Redman

The first great arranger in jazz history, Don Redman’s innovations being a writer essentially invented the jazz-oriented big music group with arrangements that developed yet left room for solo improvisations. After graduating from university at age 20 using a music level, Redman played to get a season with Billy Paige’s Broadway Syncopators and fulfilled up with Fletcher Henderson. Redman became Henderson’s key arranger (although Fletcher was frequently down the road mistakenly provided credit for the innovative graphs) furthermore to playing clarinet, alto, and (on at least one event) oboe. Redman, whose generally spoken vocals had been charming, documented the initial ever scat vocal on “My Papa Doesn’t Two Period” in early 1924, predating Louis Armstrong. Although his early preparations were futuristic, they may be a little stiff, and it had been not really until Armstrong became a member of Henderson’s orchestra that Redman (learning from the excellent cornetist) begun to actually golf swing in his composing; “Sugar Feet Stomp” and “The Stampede” are two of his many traditional charts. It had been a surprise to Fletcher Henderson when Redman was persuaded in 1927 by Jean Goldkette to immediate McKinney’s Natural cotton Pickers. Redman quickly switched the previously unfamiliar group right into a solid rival of Henderson’s, composing such potential requirements as “Gee Baby, Ain’t I Great for you” and “Cherry.” He sang even more, emphasized his alto over his even more primitive sounding clarinet (guesting on some popular recordings with Louis Armstrong’s Savoy Ballroom Five in 1928), and produced a strong group of unforgettable information. In 1931, Redman come up with his personal big music group which lasted (if not really prospered) until 1941. From then on, he freelanced as an arranger for the rest from the golf swing period, led an all-star orchestra in 1946 that became the 1st music group to go to postwar Europe, and finally became Pearl Bailey’s musical movie director. Although he documented a few classes in the past due ’50s, Don Redman’s primary significance is perfect for his important work from the 1920s and ’30s.