In three previous essays, I have presented many discoveries about the life of legendary trumpeter Freddie Webster. To start at the beginning, almost all of the books and websites give the wrong birthdate and birthplace. Here is the correct information:
thanks Lewis, there is so little around about Webster and this is invaluable. And if it's ok I will add something about that 1943 Benny Carter band (that I think also included Max Roach) and which Curly Russell was also in. Curly told me that the members of that band, in order to avoid the draft, took some kind of benzadrine-infused cocktail before going to their draft examinations, which spiked their blood pressure and basically made them a bit crazy at the physical, helping them to get a deferment. I know this is not directly about Webster, but it does give a sense of the cynicism of black musicians who did not feel the desire to fight for a country that treated them so badly.
Very interesting story. And it ties in with other stories of Black musicians who tried various methods to get disqualified. (Max Roach joined in '44, a few months after Freddie had left.) THANK YOU ALLEN
Yes, definitely—Saunders' groups were hard swinging and you can hear him yell at about 1:37 on that recording. You may know that the original label said "jump instrumental"—another slang term that meant conducive for wild dancing, jitterbugging, jumping around, etc. By the way, Red's saxophonist Leon Washington was a friend of Webster and will be briefly mentioned in a future essay. THANK YOU DAVID
If the Joseph Marshall in the photo of some of Lunceford’s men is the drummer Joe Marshall then I’m pretty sure I worked with him. The first Broadway show I ever played was “Purlie” ca. ‘69-70. I was Danny Bank’s principal sub. It had an all Black cast starring Cleavon Little of Blazing Saddles”fame and the orchestra included several veteran Black musicians including guitarist Billy Butler, bassist Bob Bushnell, trombonist Dickie Harris, trumpeter Dud Bascomb and drummer Joe Marshall.
Yes, that's the same Joe Marshall for sure!! His first recordings were with Lunceford, from 1944 onward. He worked a lot with Johnny Hodges in the 50s and 60s--I love his playing on Stride Right, the album of Hodges and Earl Hines. Great Stuff! THANK YOU KENNY
thanks Lewis, there is so little around about Webster and this is invaluable. And if it's ok I will add something about that 1943 Benny Carter band (that I think also included Max Roach) and which Curly Russell was also in. Curly told me that the members of that band, in order to avoid the draft, took some kind of benzadrine-infused cocktail before going to their draft examinations, which spiked their blood pressure and basically made them a bit crazy at the physical, helping them to get a deferment. I know this is not directly about Webster, but it does give a sense of the cynicism of black musicians who did not feel the desire to fight for a country that treated them so badly.
Very interesting story. And it ties in with other stories of Black musicians who tried various methods to get disqualified. (Max Roach joined in '44, a few months after Freddie had left.) THANK YOU ALLEN
"Boots” was swing era slang for “kicks,”...
So when Red Saunders and his band recorded "Boot 'Em Up", that must have been what they meant (that track is a swinger)...
Yes, definitely—Saunders' groups were hard swinging and you can hear him yell at about 1:37 on that recording. You may know that the original label said "jump instrumental"—another slang term that meant conducive for wild dancing, jitterbugging, jumping around, etc. By the way, Red's saxophonist Leon Washington was a friend of Webster and will be briefly mentioned in a future essay. THANK YOU DAVID
If the Joseph Marshall in the photo of some of Lunceford’s men is the drummer Joe Marshall then I’m pretty sure I worked with him. The first Broadway show I ever played was “Purlie” ca. ‘69-70. I was Danny Bank’s principal sub. It had an all Black cast starring Cleavon Little of Blazing Saddles”fame and the orchestra included several veteran Black musicians including guitarist Billy Butler, bassist Bob Bushnell, trombonist Dickie Harris, trumpeter Dud Bascomb and drummer Joe Marshall.
Yes, that's the same Joe Marshall for sure!! His first recordings were with Lunceford, from 1944 onward. He worked a lot with Johnny Hodges in the 50s and 60s--I love his playing on Stride Right, the album of Hodges and Earl Hines. Great Stuff! THANK YOU KENNY
FW had an interesting left hand grip of his trumpet.
Hmm--good point--THANK YOU