When you think of Jimmy Dorsey, you think of a Jazz musician who was definitely multi-faceted. He did not just play music. He did not just play an instrument. His magic fingers majestically moved over the clarinet, saxophone and trumpet. He not only played the instruments, he was also a big band leader.

You could say that Jimmy Dorsey was part of a family with good musical lineage. he was the son of a music teacher and the older brother (more…)

Charlie Christian was one of the best known jazz musicians in the 1930′s. He was widely known for playing the jazz electric guitar and can be called the first great amplified guitar soloist. Charles Christian was born in 1916 and was raised in Oklahoma City. His parents were both musicians and his father taught him and his two brothers how to play. He played along with Benny Goodman and was a member of the Benny Goodman Sextet from 1930 to 1941. He also made many musical recordings as a sideman with (more…)

Bennett “Benny” Carter was born on August 6, 1907 and died on July 12, 2003. He was a jazz musician that played the saxophone, clarinet and trumpet. He also composed music and directed bands. Benny’s interest in music started at a very young age. His interest grew when he began taking piano lessons from his mothers. When Benny was fifteen, he was already sitting in at some of the hottest jazz spots in Harlem. Benny gained experience by working as a sideman for some of (more…)

You could literally say that Cab Calloway was a Christmas gift to the jazz world. he was born on Christmas Day in 1907. He started out by performing in many of Baltimore’s jazz clubs. At the beginning of his career he followed his sister who was an accomplished bandleader. It is obvious that music was in his family lineage.

It wasn’t long before his band was performing at the Cotton Club. He was a co-host band there (more…)