Paul Webster (jazz)
Paul Francis Webster (August 24, 1909 - May 6, 1966) was a jazz trumpeter in the big band era. He was a high-note specialist for Jimmie Lunceford's band, and later played in several other big bands.
Early life
[edit]Webster was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 24, 1909.[1] He attended Fisk University.[2]
Later life and career
[edit]Webster became a professional musician around 1927.[1] He played in bands led by George E. Lee (1927), Bennie Moten (1927–28), Paul Banks (1930), and Jap Allen (around 1930).[1] He joined Jimmie Lunceford's band in 1931, then moved to Tommy Douglas (around the same year), and vocalist Eli Rice (1933–34).[1]
Webster returned to Lunceford in 1935,[3] and became known as a high-note specialist.[1] He appeared on film in Jimmie Lunceford and His Dance Orchestra, which was made in 1936.[1] After leaving Lunceford in 1944, he joined Cab Calloway's band, and played with them on and off into the 1950s.[1] He was part of other bands in the same period, including those led by Charlie Barnet (1946–47, and 1952–53), Sy Oliver (1947), Eddie Wilcox, and Count Basie (1950).[1] He played part-time from 1953 into the 1960s.[1] Webster died in New York on May 6, 1966.[1]
Discography
[edit]With Jimmie Lunceford
- Lunceford Special (Columbia 1967)
- Harlem Shout Vol. 2 (1935–1936) (Decca, 1967)
- Rhythm Is Our Business Vol. 1 (1934–1935) (Decca, 1968)
- For Dancers Only Vol. 3 (1936–1937) (MCA 1972)
- 1940 (Circle 1981)
With others
- Charlie Barnet, Sky Liner (MCA 1976)
- Cab Calloway, Hi De Ho Man (Columbia 1974)
- Ella Fitzgerald, The First Lady of Song (Decca, 1958)
- Rex Stewart, Henderson Homecoming (United Artists, 1959)
References
[edit]External links
[edit]- Bibliography
- Determeyer, Eddy (2006). Rhythm Is Our Business: Jimmie Lunceford and the Harlem Express. The University of Michigan Press. ISBN 978-0-472-11553-2.</ref>
