Walter 'Foots' Thomas
Encyclopedia
Walter 'Foots' Thomas was a saxophonist and arranger
in Cab Calloway
's orchestra.
Born in Muskogee, Oklahoma
, he moved to New York City
in 1927, and played for a time with Jelly Roll Morton
. He then joined the Missourians in 1929, just before Calloway took it over.
In 1943 he left to work with Don Redman
, and towards the end of his life tutored Jackie McLean
.
Since the 40s, he lived in Englewood, New Jersey, near his old friend Tyree Glenn
, with whom he spent much time in retirement. He died on August 26, 1981 as a result of cancer.
Arranger
In investment banking, an arranger is a provider of funds in the syndication of a debt. They are entitled to syndicate the loan or bond issue, and may be referred to as the "lead underwriter". This is because this entity bears the risk of being able to sell the underlying securities/debt or the...
in Cab Calloway
Cab Calloway
Cabell "Cab" Calloway III was an American jazz singer and bandleader. He was strongly associated with the Cotton Club in Harlem, New York City where he was a regular performer....
's orchestra.
Born in Muskogee, Oklahoma
Muskogee, Oklahoma
Muskogee is a city in Muskogee County, Oklahoma, United States. It is the county seat of Muskogee County, and home to Bacone College. The population was 38,310 at the 2000 census, making it the eleventh-largest city in Oklahoma....
, he moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1927, and played for a time with Jelly Roll Morton
Jelly Roll Morton
Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe , known professionally as Jelly Roll Morton, was an American ragtime and early jazz pianist, bandleader and composer....
. He then joined the Missourians in 1929, just before Calloway took it over.
In 1943 he left to work with Don Redman
Don Redman
Donald Matthew Redman was an American jazz musician, arranger, bandleader and composer.Redman was announced as a member of the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame on May 6, 2009....
, and towards the end of his life tutored Jackie McLean
Jackie McLean
John Lenwood McLean was an American jazz alto saxophonist, composer, bandleader and educator, born in New York City.-Biography:McLean's father, John Sr., played guitar in Tiny Bradshaw's orchestra...
.
Since the 40s, he lived in Englewood, New Jersey, near his old friend Tyree Glenn
Tyree Glenn
Evan Tyree Glenn was an American trombone player.-Biography:...
, with whom he spent much time in retirement. He died on August 26, 1981 as a result of cancer.