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Chick Webb
CDs
Stompin' at the Savoy /
Swing Sation Series /
Rhythm Man /
Tain't What You Do (It's The Way That You Do It)
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Chick Webb: Baltimore's Jazz Giant
By Amin Sharif
William Henry Webb (Chick Webb) was born in
Baltimore, Maryland in 1909. Afflicted at birth with spinal
tuberculosis which left him in poor health for his entire life,
Chick was a small, hunchback of a man who possessed an
“unconquerable spirit” and an astounding musical talent. For
many jazz fans, Chick remains arguably the greatest jazz drummer
to have ever played the instrument. Yet it was only by a quirk
of fate that Chick even came to play the drums.
The idea of playing the instrument was
suggested to him by his doctor as a way to “loosen up” his
stiffened limbs. By saving money earned through delivering
papers, Chick soon secured a drum set. And by the age of
seventeen, Chick was playing in New York nights clubs such as
the Black Bottom and the Paddock Club. These early jobs were
secured for him through the efforts of Duke Ellington who
instantly recognized Chick’s talent. It was Ellington who
encouraged Chick to form a quintet aptly called the “Harlem
Stoppers.” The name was probably derived from Chick’s own
hard driving style on the drums as the quintet’s leader.
Later, this quintet would evolve into one of the most feared
“swing” bands in New York—The Chick Webb Orchestra.
The Chick Webb Orchestra earned its fame
after it became the house band of the legendary Savoy Ballroom
in Harlem, New York. At the Savoy jazz bands made reputations
for themselves by taking part in cuttin’ sessions usually
against Chick Webb’s Orchestra. Count Bassie, Fletcher
Henderson, Lloyd Scott and other, merely great, swing bands fell
before the awesome power of Chick Webb’s spectacular playing.
And, when the famous Benny Goodman Band came to Harlem to
challenge the Chick Webb Orchestra at the Savoy, they too were
left cut and bleeding after the encounter. Even the legendary
Gene Krupa was said to have been shell-shocked by the power of
Chick’s playing. But what else could Krupa expect from a
bandleader and drummer whose moniker was “The King of the
Savoy!”
Chick Webb’s already mythical reputation
was given even greater stature when he replaced his longtime
vocalist Charles Linton with a then relatively unknown singer by
the name of Ella Fitzgerald. Jazz legend has it that Ella
“snuck” into Chick Webb’s dressing room in order to
convince him to take her into his bed. But legends
notwithstanding, Ella did become Chick’s lead vocalist. And
Ella, called adoringly by fans and musicians, “The First Lady
of Swing,” always acknowledged Chick Webb as her “first and
foremost” influence.
Together, Chick and Ella, would electrify
the Swing era of jazz with hits such as "A-Tisket a Tasket,"
which was composed by Ella to cheer Chick up while he was ill.
And while this and other great tunes recorded by these artists
are well-known, Chick’s early work—some say his most
impressive solos—was regrettably poorly captured by recording
technology ill suited for Chick’s immense talent. But one of
Chick’s hit tunes “Stompin’ at the Savoy” gives
contemporary jazz fans some hint of the power of Chick Webb and
his Orchestra.
In 1938, Chick Webb’s health began to
fail him. This was mostly due to Chick’s chronic spinal
condition and his insistence that he and his orchestra would
only perform at the height of their talents for their fans.
Often it was said that Chick played with such power that he was
physically exhausted when he left the bandstand.
In 1939, Chick returned to Baltimore for a
major operation. Shortly afterwards, the little giant died on
June 16, 1939 with his mother at his side. Chick’s funeral
procession was said to have been composed of some eighty cars
and the church where he was eulogized was said to be unable to
hold all the mourners.
For awhile, Ella Fitzgerald carried on
Chick’s tradition when she became one of the first female
bandleaders. But soon the orchestra became too much for Ella to
handle. Finally, the band went under. But not after it left a
jazz legacy that has been recognized by such jazz greats as
Buddy Rich, Louis Bellson, Art Blakely, and Duke
Ellington.
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Chick Webb's Savoy
Orchestra
Mario Bauza, Reunauld Jones, Taft Jordan (trumpet)
Sandy Williams (trombone)
Pete Clark, Edgar Sampson (alto sax , clarinet)
Elmer Williams (tenor sax)
Joe Steele (piano)
John Trueheart (banjo,guitar)
John Kirby (bass)
Chick Webb (drums, leader)
Edgar Sampson (arr)
recorded in May 18, 1934
Columbia 2926D mx.W152740=
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Stomping
at the Savoy
Savoy, the home of sweet
romance,
Savoy, it wins you with a glance,
Savoy, gives happy feet a chance to dance.
Your old form just like
a clinging vine,
Your lips so warm and sweet as wine,
Your cheek so soft and close to mine, divine.
How my heart is singing,
While the band is swinging,
I'm never tired of romping,
And stomping with you at the Savoy.
What joy - a perfect holiday,
Savoy, where we can glide and sway,
Savoy, let me stomp away with you.
The home of sweet
romance,
It wins you at a glance,
Gives happy feet a chance to dance.
Just like a clinging
vine,
So soft and sweet as wine,
So soft and close to mine, divine.
How my heart is singing,
While the band is swinging,
I'm never, never, never tired of romping,
And stomping with you at the Savoy.
What joy - a perfect holiday,
Savoy, where we can glide and sway,
Savoy, let me stomp away with you; |
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update 3 July 2008
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