Tag Archives: 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 …

William McKinney was a drummer who by 1923 had retired from performing and only conducting and owning a big music group. In 1926 his clothing became referred to as McKinney’s Natural cotton Pickers, and the next year they obtained a significant coup by employing arranger/altoist/vocalist Don Redman from Fletcher Henderson. …