Tag Archives: Charlie Ventura’s Big Four

When it found technique, velocity, power, and the capability to come up with incredible drum solos, Buddy Rich lived up to the billing of “the world’s greatest drummer.” Even though some additional drummers were even more innovative, the truth is none had been in his little league even through the …

The nephew of trumpeter Phil Napoleon and younger brother of fellow pianist Teddy Napoleon, Marty Napoleon gained his greatest fame using Louis Armstrong’s All-Stars during two stints. Napoleon was a fairly versatile participant whose design generally dropped between golf swing and bop. Originally a trumpeter, center troubles triggered him to …

An excellent swing-oriented tenor saxophonist, Ventura is best-remembered for his attempt at popularizing bebop through the tail end from the music’s mid- to past due-’40s heyday. Given birth to Charles Venturo, he originated from a big, musically inclined family members. His first device was C-melody sax. He turned to alto …

An excellent bassist, Chubby Jackson is best-known for his association with Woody Herman’s first two Herds from the mid- to later ’40s, where he functioned not merely in the tempo section but as a sort-of cheerleader whose vocal interjections actually pushed the music group. Although he began for the clarinet …