Roy Eldridge
Encyclopedia
Roy David Eldridge nicknamed "Little Jazz" was an American
jazz
trumpet
player. His sophisticated use of harmony, including the use of tritone substitution
s, his virtuosic solos and his strong influence on Dizzy Gillespie
mark him as one of the most exciting musicians of the swing era
and a precursor of bebop
.
and originally played drums, trumpet and tuba. He led bands from his early years, moving to St. Louis, and then to New York. He absorbed the influence of saxophonists Benny Carter
and Coleman Hawkins
, setting himself the task of learning Hawkins 1926 solo on "The Stampede" in developing an equivalent trumpet style.
Eldridge played in various bands in New York in the early 1930s, as well as making records and radio broadcasts under his own name. His rhythmic power to swing a band was a dynamic trademark of the jazz of the time. It has been said that "from the mid-Thirties onwards, he had superseded Louis Armstrong
as the exemplar of modern 'hot' trumpet playing".
Eldridge was very versatile on his horn, not only quick and articulate with the low to middle registers, but the high registers as well. The high register lines that Eldridge employed were one of many prominent features of his playing, another being blasts of rapid double-time
notes followed by a return to standard time. These stylistic points were heavy influences on Dizzy Gillespie
, who, along with Charlie Parker
, brought bebop into existence. Eldridge participated in some of the early jam sessions at Minton's Playhouse
. A careful listening to bebop standards, such as the song "Bebop", reveals how much Eldridge influenced this genre of jazz.
In May 1941, Eldridge joined Gene Krupa
's Orchestra, and was successfully featured with rookie singer Anita O'Day
on a series of recordings including the novelty hit "Let Me Off Uptown". However, Eldridge complained that O'Day was upstaging him and the band broke up after Krupa was jailed for marijuana possession in July 1943. Eldridge then joined Artie Shaw
's band.
In the postwar years, he became part of the group which toured under the Jazz at the Philharmonic
banner. He became one of the stalwarts of the group. Its producer Norman Granz
said that Roy Eldridge typified the spirit of jazz. "Every time he's on he does the best he can, no matter what the conditions are. And Roy is so intense about everything, so that it's far more important to him to dare, to try to achieve a particular peak, even if he falls on his ass in the attempt, than it is to play safe. That's what jazz is all about."
Eldridge moved to Paris for a time, before returning to New York, where he worked with Coleman Hawkins, Ella Fitzgerald
and Earl "Fatha" Hines
among others. Eldridge led the house band at Jimmy Ryan's club in Manhattan for several years in the late 1960's-early 1970's. In 1971, Eldridge was inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame
. After a stroke in 1980, he continued performing on other instruments for the remainder of his life.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
player. His sophisticated use of harmony, including the use of tritone substitution
Tritone substitution
In classical music, a substitute dominant is "a chord sufficiently akin to the dominant to be reasonably set against the tonic, and yet remote enough to give a chromatically expressive, large-scale dissonance to the structure"...
s, his virtuosic solos and his strong influence on Dizzy Gillespie
Dizzy Gillespie
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was an American jazz trumpet player, bandleader, singer, and composer dubbed "the sound of surprise".Together with Charlie Parker, he was a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz...
mark him as one of the most exciting musicians of the swing era
Swing Era
The Swing era was the period of time when big band swing music was the most popular music in the United States. Though the music had been around since the late 1920s and early 1930s, being played by black bands led by such artists as Duke Ellington, Jimmie Lunceford, Benny Moten, Ella Fitzgerald,...
and a precursor of bebop
Bebop
Bebop differed drastically from the straightforward compositions of the swing era, and was instead characterized by fast tempos, asymmetrical phrasing, intricate melodies, and rhythm sections that expanded on their role as tempo-keepers...
.
Biography
Eldridge was born in Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
and originally played drums, trumpet and tuba. He led bands from his early years, moving to St. Louis, and then to New York. He absorbed the influence of saxophonists Benny Carter
Benny Carter
Bennett Lester Carter was an American jazz alto saxophonist, clarinetist, trumpeter, composer, arranger, and bandleader. He was a major figure in jazz from the 1930s to the 1990s, and was recognized as such by other jazz musicians who called him King...
and Coleman Hawkins
Coleman Hawkins
Coleman Randolph Hawkins was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. Hawkins was one of the first prominent jazz musicians on his instrument. As Joachim E. Berendt explained, "there were some tenor players before him, but the instrument was not an acknowledged jazz horn"...
, setting himself the task of learning Hawkins 1926 solo on "The Stampede" in developing an equivalent trumpet style.
Eldridge played in various bands in New York in the early 1930s, as well as making records and radio broadcasts under his own name. His rhythmic power to swing a band was a dynamic trademark of the jazz of the time. It has been said that "from the mid-Thirties onwards, he had superseded Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong , nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana....
as the exemplar of modern 'hot' trumpet playing".
Eldridge was very versatile on his horn, not only quick and articulate with the low to middle registers, but the high registers as well. The high register lines that Eldridge employed were one of many prominent features of his playing, another being blasts of rapid double-time
Double-time
In music and dance, double-time is a type of meter and tempo or rhythmic feel. It is also associated with specific time signatures such as 2/2. Contrast with half time....
notes followed by a return to standard time. These stylistic points were heavy influences on Dizzy Gillespie
Dizzy Gillespie
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was an American jazz trumpet player, bandleader, singer, and composer dubbed "the sound of surprise".Together with Charlie Parker, he was a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz...
, who, along with Charlie Parker
Charlie Parker
Charles Parker, Jr. , famously called Bird or Yardbird, was an American jazz saxophonist and composer....
, brought bebop into existence. Eldridge participated in some of the early jam sessions at Minton's Playhouse
Minton's Playhouse
Minton’s Playhouse is a jazz club and bar located on the first floor of the Cecil Hotel at 210 West 118th Street in Harlem. Minton’s was founded by tenor saxophonist Henry Minton in 1938...
. A careful listening to bebop standards, such as the song "Bebop", reveals how much Eldridge influenced this genre of jazz.
In May 1941, Eldridge joined Gene Krupa
Gene Krupa
Gene Krupa was an American jazz and big band drummer and composer, known for his highly energetic and flamboyant style.-Biography:...
's Orchestra, and was successfully featured with rookie singer Anita O'Day
Anita O'Day
Anita O'Day was an American jazz singer.Born Anita Belle Colton, O'Day was admired for her sense of rhythm and dynamics, and her early big band appearances shattered the traditional image of the "girl singer"...
on a series of recordings including the novelty hit "Let Me Off Uptown". However, Eldridge complained that O'Day was upstaging him and the band broke up after Krupa was jailed for marijuana possession in July 1943. Eldridge then joined Artie Shaw
Artie Shaw
Arthur Jacob Arshawsky , better known as Artie Shaw, was an American jazz clarinetist, composer, and bandleader. He was also the author of both fiction and non-fiction writings....
's band.
In the postwar years, he became part of the group which toured under the Jazz at the Philharmonic
Jazz at the Philharmonic
Jazz at the Philharmonic, or JATP, was the title of a series of jazz concerts, tours and recordings produced by Norman Granz....
banner. He became one of the stalwarts of the group. Its producer Norman Granz
Norman Granz
Norman Granz was an American jazz music impresario and producer.Granz was a fundamental figure in American jazz, especially from about 1947 to 1960...
said that Roy Eldridge typified the spirit of jazz. "Every time he's on he does the best he can, no matter what the conditions are. And Roy is so intense about everything, so that it's far more important to him to dare, to try to achieve a particular peak, even if he falls on his ass in the attempt, than it is to play safe. That's what jazz is all about."
Eldridge moved to Paris for a time, before returning to New York, where he worked with Coleman Hawkins, Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...
and Earl "Fatha" Hines
Earl Hines
Earl Kenneth Hines, universally known as Earl "Fatha" Hines, was an American jazz pianist. Hines was one of the most influential figures in the development of modern jazz piano and, according to one source, is "one of a small number of pianists whose playing shaped the history of jazz".-Early...
among others. Eldridge led the house band at Jimmy Ryan's club in Manhattan for several years in the late 1960's-early 1970's. In 1971, Eldridge was inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame
Down Beat
Down Beat is an American magazine devoted to "jazz, blues and beyond" to indicate its expansion beyond the jazz realm which it covered exclusively in previous years. The publication was established in 1934 in Chicago, Illinois...
. After a stroke in 1980, he continued performing on other instruments for the remainder of his life.
Discography
- The Big Band of Little Jazz (Topaz, 1935–1945) with Dickie Wells, Benny Goodman, Benny CarterBenny CarterBennett Lester Carter was an American jazz alto saxophonist, clarinetist, trumpeter, composer, arranger, and bandleader. He was a major figure in jazz from the 1930s to the 1990s, and was recognized as such by other jazz musicians who called him King...
, Teddy WilsonTeddy WilsonTheodore Shaw "Teddy" Wilson was an American jazz pianist whose sophisticated and elegant style was featured on the records of many of the biggest names in jazz, including Louis Armstrong, Lena Horne, Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald.-Biography:Wilson was born in Austin, Texas in...
, Gene Krupa, John KirbyJohn KirbyJohn Kirby is the name of:* John Kirby , Canadian businessman & politician* John Kirby , American jazz musician* John Kirby , Irish bishop... - After You’ve Gone (Decca RecordsDecca RecordsDecca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
/GRP, 1936–1946) with Ike QuebecIke QuebecIke Quebec was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. His surname is pronounced KYOO-bek.Critic Alex Henderson wrote, "Though he was never an innovator, Quebec had a big, breathy sound that was distinctive and easily recognizable, and he was quite consistent when it came to down-home blues, sexy...
, Cecil PayneCecil PayneCecil Payne was a jazz baritone saxophonist born in Brooklyn, NY. Payne also played the alto saxophone and flute...
, Billy TaylorBilly TaylorBilly Taylor was an American jazz pianist, composer, broadcaster and educator. He was the Robert L. Jones Distinguished Professor of Music at East Carolina University in Greenville, and since 1994, he was the artistic director for jazz at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in...
, Sahib ShihabSahib ShihabSahib Shihab was an American jazz saxophonist and flautist.-Biography:...
, Wilbur De ParisWilbur de ParisWilbur de Paris was a trombone player and band leader, especially known for mixing New Orleans jazz style with Swing.De Paris was born in Crawfordsville, Indiana, where his father, Sidney G... - Heckler’s Hop (Hep, 1936–1939) with Gene Krupa, Benny Goodman, Helen WardHelen WardHelen Ward may refer to:* Helen Ward , American singer of swing ballads* Helen Ward , London-based divorce lawyer...
- Roy Eldridge 1943-1944 (Classics); 1945-1947 (Classics)
- Nuts (Disques VogueDisques VogueDisques Vogue was founded in France in 1947, the same year that the USA Vogue closed shop. They originally specialized in jazz recordings, featuring such artists as Sidney Bechet, Django Reinhardt, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, and Errol Garner. In the late 1950s Vogue expanded into pop music,...
, 1950) with Zoot SimsZoot SimsJohn Haley "Zoot" Sims was an American jazz saxophonist, playing mainly tenor and soprano.-Biography:He was born in Inglewood, California, the son of vaudeville performers Kate Haley and John Sims. Growing up in a performing family, Sims learned to play both drums and clarinet at an early age...
, Dick HymanDick HymanRichard “Dick” Hyman is an American jazz pianist/keyboardist and composer, best-known for his versatility with jazz piano styles. Over a 50 year career, he has functioned as pianist, organist, arranger, music director, and, increasingly, as composer...
, Pierre MichelotPierre MichelotPierre Michelot was a French bebop and hard bop double bass player.Born in Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis, Paris, Michelot studied piano from 1936 until 1938, but switched to playing bass at the age of sixteen... - French Cooking (Vogue, 1950–51) with Raymond Fol, Barney Spieler
- Roy and Diz (Verve, 1954) with Dizzy Gillespie, Herb Ellis, Ray Brown, Louie Bellson
- The Nifty Cat (New World) with Budd Johnson, Benny Morton, Nat PierceNat PierceNat Pierce was an American jazz pianist and arranger born in Somerville, Massachusetts, perhaps best-known for being pianist and arranger for the Woody Herman band from 1951–1955...
- Oscar Peterson and Roy EldridgeOscar Peterson and Roy EldridgeOscar Peterson and Roy Eldridge is a 1974 album by Oscar Peterson, on which he is accompanied by Roy Eldridge. -Track listing:# "Little Jazz" – 4:45# "She's Funny That Way" – 7:34...
- Roy Eldridge in Paris (Vogue, 1950/51)
- Little Jazz (1957; 7"; EmArcy [Mercury] EP-1-6022) (plus Charlie Shavers, Joe Thomas, Jonah Jones & Emmett Berry) (prebop jazz/swing style)
- The Complete Verve Roy Eldridge Studio Sessions by Roy Eldridge (Verve-Kompilation)
- Roy Eldridge and Oscar Peterson (OJC, 1974) Duo-Aufnahmen
- Litle Jazz and the Jimmy Ryan All-Stars (Pablo, 1975) with Dick KatzDick KatzDick Katz was an American jazz pianist and arranger. He freelanced throughout much of his career, and worked in a number of ensembles. He co-founded Milestone Records in 1966 with Orrin Keepnews....
, Major HolleyMajor HolleyMajor Holley was an American jazz upright bassist.Holley attended the prestigious Cass Technical High School. Holley played violin and tuba when young and started playing bass while serving in the Navy... - Happy TimeHappy TimeHappy Time is a 1975 studio album by Roy Eldridge. -Track listing:# "Sweethearts on Parade" – 4:20# "Willow Weep for Me" – 7:01# "Makin' Whoopee" – 4:42...
(Pablo, 1975) - Jazz Maturity...Where It's Coming FromJazz Maturity...Where It's Coming FromJazz Maturity...Where It's Coming From is a 1975 album featuring Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie and Roy Eldridge. -Track listing:# "Quasi-Boogaloo" – 9:01# "Take the "A" Train" – 8:08...
(Pablo, 1975) - Oscar Peterson and The Trumpet Kings - JoustsOscar Peterson and The Trumpet Kings - JoustsOscar Peterson and The Trumpet Kings - Jousts is a 1974 album by Oscar Peterson, consisting of duets with the trumpeters Harry "Sweets" Edison, Jon Faddis, Clark Terry, Roy Eldridge and Dizzy Gillespie...
(Pablo, 1975) - The Trumpet Kings at Montreux '75The Trumpet Kings at Montreux '75Trumpet Kings at Montreux '75 is a 1975 live album featuring the jazz trumpeters Roy Eldridge, Dizzy Gillespie and Clark Terry recorded at the 1975 Montreux Jazz Festival. The rhythm section is led by Oscar Peterson...
(Pablo) with Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry - The Tatum Group Masterpieces with Art TatumArt TatumArthur "Art" Tatum, Jr. was an American jazz pianist and virtuoso who played with phenomenal facility despite being nearly blind.Tatum is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time...
, John Simmons (Bass), Alvin Stoller (Drums) (1955, Pablo 1975) - What is All About (OJC, 1976) with Milt Jackson, Budd Johnson
- Montreux 1977Roy Eldridge 4 - Montreux '77Roy Eldridge 4 - Montreux '77 is a 1977 live album by Roy Eldridge. -Track listing:# "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" – 9:28# "Go For" – 7:03...
(Pablo; OJC, 1977) with Oscar Peterson, Niels Henning Oersted Pederson, Bobby DurhamBobby Durham (Jazz musician)Bobby Durham , was an American jazz drummer.Durham was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and learned to play drums while a child. He played with The Orioles at age 16, and was in a military band between 1956 and 1959. After his discharge he played with King James and Stan Hunter... - Roy Eldridge & Vic DickensonVic DickensonVic Dickenson was an African-American jazz trombonist. Dickenson's career started out in the 1920s and led him through musical partnerships with such legends as Count Basie , Sidney Bechet and Earl Hines...
(Storyville RecordsStoryville RecordsStoryville Records is a large international record label based in Copenhagen, Denmark, specializing in jazz and blues music. Besides its original material, Storyville Records has licensed and reissued many vintage jazz recordings that previously appeared on such labels as Paramount Records,...
, 1978) with Tommy FlanaganTommy FlanaganThomas Lee Flanagan was an American jazz pianist born in Detroit, Michigan, particularly remembered for his work with Ella Fitzgerald...
External links
- [ All Music]
- Jazz Trumpet site
- PBS's "Jazz" site
- http://www.iaje.org/bio.asp?ArtistID=59