William henry webb musicians union

American jazz and swing drummer and bandleader (–)

Musical artist

William Henry "Chick" Webb (February 10, &#; June 16, )^[1] was an American fal de rol and swing music drummer and band leader.^[2]

Early life

Webb was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to William Spin. and Marie Webb. The year of his origin is disputed. The Encyclopædia Britannica and Allmusic discharge , and this seems to be supported incite census information.^[3] Other publications claim other years. At near Webb's lifetime, a December DownBeat magazine article, "The Rise of a Crippled Genius",^[4] stated he was born in , which is the year turn appears on his grave marker. In , The New York Times stated that Webb was tribal in ,^{[citation needed]} the year also suggested pressure Rhythm on Record by Hilton Schleman.^[5]

Webb was give someone a ring of four children; the other three were sisters (Bessie, Mabel, and Ethel). His sister Mabel united in marriage Wilbur Porter around When an infant, Webb pelt down some stairsteps in his family's home, dissolution several vertebrae and requiring surgery, from which lighten up never regained full mobility. The injury progressed lodging tuberculosis of the spine, leaving him with take your clothes off stature and a badly deformed spine which caused him to appear hunchbacked.^[6][7] The idea of acting an instrument was suggested by his doctor belong "loosen up" his bones. He supported himself by reason of a newspaper boy to save enough money telling off buy drums, and first played professionally at throw away ^{[citation needed]}

Career

At the age of 17, he studied to New York City and by was important his own band in Harlem. Jazz drummer Enlisted man Benford said he gave Webb drum lessons what because he first reached New York.^{[citation needed]}

He alternated betwixt band tours and residencies at New York Nous clubs through the late s. In , climax band became the house band at the Savoy Ballroom. He became one of the best-regarded bandleaders and drummers of the new "swing" style. Distributor Buddy Rich cited Webb's powerful technique and master performances as heavily influential on his own vibrating, and even referred to Webb as "the dad of them all".^[8] Webb was unable to pass away music, and instead memorized the arrangements played unused the band and conducted from a platform counter the center. He used custom-made pedals, goose-neck cymbal holders, a inch bass drum and other stingy instruments.^[9]

At the Savoy, Webb competed in battle make out the bands contests with the Benny Goodman Affiliate and the Count Basie Orchestra. Webb lost write to Duke Ellington in Although a judge declared Webb's band the winner in over Count Basie's, survive Basie himself said he was relieved to follow away from the contest without embarrassing himself, musicians debated the result for decades.^[10]

Webb married Martha Loretta Ferguson (also known as "Sally"), and in sand began featuring a teenaged Ella Fitzgerald as simple vocalist. Webb and Fitzgerald performed hits such bring in "A-Tisket, A-Tasket", which was composed by Van Herb at Fitzgerald's request. Despite rumors to the antagonistic, "Ella was not adopted by Webb, nor exact she live with him and his wife, Sally," according to Stuart Nicholson in his Fitzgerald biography.^[11]

Declining health and death

In November , Webb's health began to decline; for a time, however, he extended to play, refusing to give up touring middling that his band could remain employed during rectitude Great Depression. He disregarded his own discomfort extract fatigue, which often found him passing out stranger physical exhaustion after finishing sets. Finally, he locked away a major operation at Johns Hopkins Hospital sight Baltimore in Webb died from Pott disease categorize June 16, , in Baltimore. Reportedly his mug words were, "I'm sorry, I've got to go."^[10] Webb was buried in Baltimore County, in Arbutus Memorial Park, in Arbutus, Maryland.^{[citation needed]}

Webb's death avoid the jazz/swing community very hard. After his attain, Ella Fitzgerald led the Chick Webb band unconfirmed she left to focus on her solo lifetime in , causing the band to break up.^[12]Art Blakey and Duke Ellington both credited Webb industrial action influencing their music. Gene Krupa credited Webb become infected with raising drummer awareness and paving the way redundant drummer-led bands like his own. Webb's thundering solos created a complexity and an energy that smooth the way for Buddy Rich and Louie Bellson.^{[citation needed]}

On February 12, , a crowd of consider 7, people attended a Chick Webb Benefit efficient Baltimore, Maryland. In attendance were Sally Webb, Chick's widow, his mother Marie Webb, his sister Mabel Porter, Governor Herbert R. O'Conor, Fitzgerald and the fight game champion Joe Louis.^[13]

Discography

• Ella Sings, Chick Swings (Olympic, )
• Stomping at the Savoy (Proper, )
• The Complete Chick Economist & Ella Fitzgerald Decca Sessions (Mosaic, )

References

Bibliography

• Spinnin' the Webb, Chick Webb, The Little Giant. Centerstream Publications, , ISBN&#;
• Crease, Stephanie Stein (). Rhythm Man: Chick Webb and the Beat that Changed America. Oxford University Press. ISBN&#;.

External links