Zilner Randolph
Encyclopedia
Zilner Trenton Randolph was an American jazz
trumpeter and music educator.
Randolph attended Biddle University (now Johnson C. Smith University
), the Kreuger Conservatory, and the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music
, and played in territory bands including Bernie Young's (1927-31). He moved to Chicago
in 1931 and became Louis Armstrong
's musical director in 1931-32 and again in 1933 and 1935. Randolph also played trumpet on a number of Armstrong's recordings and composed the tune "Old Man Mose". He played with Carroll Dickerson
and Dave Peyton
in the middle of the decade, and led his own Chicago band later in the 1930s. He arranged for such bandleaders as Earl Hines
, Woody Herman
, Fletcher Henderson
, and Duke Ellington
, and led a quartet in the 1940s. He never recorded a session as a leader.
After the 1940s Randolph devoted himself mainly to teaching, but recorded as a pianist in 1951 and led the house band at the Indiana Theater off and on during the 1950s.
Zilner's son Lucious Randolph played trumpet with Sun Ra
and Jerry Butler
, among others. His daughter Hattie recorded for the small Chicago label Drexel in 1955 and sang with Sun Ra
from 1957 to 1959.
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...
trumpeter and music educator.
Randolph attended Biddle University (now Johnson C. Smith University
Johnson C. Smith University
Johnson C. Smith University is a private, co-ed, four-year liberal arts institution of higher learning located in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. It is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. JCSU is also a historically black college...
), the Kreuger Conservatory, and the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music
Wisconsin Conservatory of Music
The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music is an independent music school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The conservatory teaches many types of music, including classical, jazz, rock, folk, and blues...
, and played in territory bands including Bernie Young's (1927-31). He moved to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
in 1931 and became Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong , nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana....
's musical director in 1931-32 and again in 1933 and 1935. Randolph also played trumpet on a number of Armstrong's recordings and composed the tune "Old Man Mose". He played with Carroll Dickerson
Carroll Dickerson
Carroll Dickerson was a Chicago and New York-based dixieland jazz violinist and bandleader, probably better known for his extensive work with Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines or his more brief work touring with King Oliver....
and Dave Peyton
Dave Peyton
Dave Peyton was an Americansongwriter, pianist, and arranger.Peyton first began as a pianist in the trio of Wilbur Sweatman, where he played from 1908 to 1912. Following this Peyton led his own ensembles in various theaters in Chicago...
in the middle of the decade, and led his own Chicago band later in the 1930s. He arranged for such bandleaders as Earl 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...
, Woody Herman
Woody Herman
Woodrow Charles Herman , known as Woody Herman, was an American jazz clarinetist, alto and soprano saxophonist, singer, and big band leader. Leading various groups called "The Herd," Herman was one of the most popular of the 1930s and '40s bandleaders...
, Fletcher Henderson
Fletcher Henderson
James Fletcher Hamilton Henderson, Jr. was an American pianist, bandleader, arranger and composer, important in the development of big band jazz and swing music. His was one of the most prolific black orchestras and his influence was vast...
, and Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
, and led a quartet in the 1940s. He never recorded a session as a leader.
After the 1940s Randolph devoted himself mainly to teaching, but recorded as a pianist in 1951 and led the house band at the Indiana Theater off and on during the 1950s.
Zilner's son Lucious Randolph played trumpet with Sun Ra
Sun Ra
Sun Ra was a prolific jazz composer, bandleader, piano and synthesizer player, poet and philosopher known for his "cosmic philosophy," musical compositions and performances. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama...
and Jerry Butler
Jerry Butler (singer)
Jerry Butler is an American soul singer and songwriter. He is also noted as being the original lead singer of the R&B vocal group, The Impressions, as well as a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee.Butler is also an American politician...
, among others. His daughter Hattie recorded for the small Chicago label Drexel in 1955 and sang with Sun Ra
Sun Ra
Sun Ra was a prolific jazz composer, bandleader, piano and synthesizer player, poet and philosopher known for his "cosmic philosophy," musical compositions and performances. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama...
from 1957 to 1959.