Chick Webb was a jazz drummer and bandleader who played a crucial role in the development of swing music in the 1930s. Born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1909, Webb began playing drums at a young age and quickly gained a reputation as a skilled musician. In the 1920s, he moved to New York City and began playing with various bands, eventually forming his own group, the Chick Webb Orchestra, in the early 1930s.
One of the most notable aspects of Webb's music was his use of the drums as a solo instrument. He was known for his energetic and highly rhythmic style, which helped to drive the swing beat and get audiences moving on the dance floor. In addition to his drumming skills, Webb was also a talented composer and arranger, and many of his original compositions, such as "Stompin' at the Savoy," became popular hits.
In addition to his contributions to swing music, Chick Webb was also an important figure in the history of jazz as a whole. He was one of the first African American bandleaders to achieve widespread success, and he helped to break down barriers and pave the way for future generations of black musicians. Despite facing significant challenges and discrimination due to his race, Webb persevered and became one of the most influential and respected musicians of his time.
Unfortunately, Chick Webb's career was cut short due to his untimely death at the age of 30 in 1939. However, his legacy lives on through his music, which continues to be enjoyed by fans of jazz and swing around the world. Today, he is remembered as a pioneer and innovator in the world of jazz and swing music, and his contributions to the genre will not be forgotten.
Chick Webb
. William Henry Webb, usually known as Chick Webb February 10, 1905 —June 16, 1939 was a jazz and swing music drummer as well as a band leader. The club owners also noticed how busy their dancefloor had become and decided to add a second bandstand, allowing one group to start a set as soon as the other finished, resulting in non-stop music and non-stop dancing. When he really let go, you had the feeling that the entire atmosphere in the place was charged. While all of these examples date back a good few decades, music rivalries and showdowns of skill have been appreciated long before those examples took place.
Unsung Musicians
One venue frequented by dancers and good-time-seekers anticipating electrifying musical sparring was called the Savoy Ballroom. Hunchbacked, small in stature, almost a dwarf with a large face and broad shoulders, Webb fought off congenital tuberculosis of the spine in order to become one of the most competitive drummers and band leaders of the big band era. Perched high upon a platform, he used custom-made pedals, goose-neck cymbal holders, a 28-inch bass drum and a wide variety of other percussion instruments to create thundering solos of a complexity and energy that paved the way for William Henry Webb bought his first set of drums with his earnings as a newsboy, and he began playing in bands on pleasure boats. Hunchbacked, small in stature, almost a dwarf with a large face and broad shoulders, Webb fought off congenital tuberculosis of the spine in order to become one of the most competitive drummers and bandleaders of the big band era. Attending his Baltimore funeral to pay their final respects included Jazz greats Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Fletcher Henderson, Ella Fitzgerald and his one-time musical rival, Gene Krupa. When he felt like it, he could cut down any of us. Naturally Chick and his band wanted a shot at taking on the Benny Goodman Orchestra, and on May 11 th, 1937 they got their chance.
Chick Webb and His Orchestra
As a means of exercising his body, doctors suggested Chick begin playing drums, which he took to like a fish in water. That man was dynamic; he could reach the most amazing heights. After moving to New York in 1925, he led bands in various clubs before settling in for long regular runs at the Savoy beginning in 1931. At age 11 Chick had earner his first gig as a professional musician playing on segregated excursion boats, and by 1924 with guitarist, friend, and collaborator John Trueheart moved to New York City to make it in the big times. A year after starting their residency at Paddock, the club burned down leading Chick and his group to sign a contract at the now famous Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. Throughout that time period music at the Savoy was dominated by the powerhouse drummer and bandleader, Chick Webb. The scene outside was so wild that club management had to call in the riot squad, fire department and the police to keep the scene outside in check.
CHICK WEBB discography (top albums) and reviews
While Chick and his band were doing well, other groups were also making their mark on the scene, and none were better known nationally than the jazz clarinetist and bandleader, Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. As an infant he took a dramatic fall down a flight of stairs resulting in several crushed vertebrae, leading to tuberculosis of the spine. These jazz band showdowns became commonplace throughout the United States and worked hand-in-hand with the rising popularity of Swing music and the dawn of The Swing Era. Chick Webb represented the triumph of the human spirit in jazz and life. Chick began taking a backseat and allowing her talents to prevail, often at odds with the opinions of his fellow bandmates. In 1926, at the encouragement of friend and supporter Duke Ellington, Chick formed and led the jazz band Harlem Stompers, first signing on to be the house band at The Paddock Club.
Chick Webb Biography, Songs, & Albums
Chick and his band, then known as The Chick Webb Orchestra, had only become tighter and stronger, in part due to the addition of then little-known teenage singer Ella Fitzgerald later to be known as the Queen of Jazz. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. The local media created such hype that 4,000 concert-goers managed to cram into the Savoy while another 5,000 hopeful attendees had to be turned away. Chick Webb represented the triumph of the human spirit in jazz and life. Perched high upon a platform, he used custom-made pedals, goose-neck cymbal holders, a 28-inch bass drum and a wide variety of other percussion instruments to create thundering solos of a complexity and energy that paved the way for Buddy Rich who studied Webb intensely and Louie Bellson. Object Details Artist Apeda Studio, active 1906 - 1990 Sitter Chick Webb, 10 Feb 1909 - 16 Jun 1939 Taft Jordan, 1915 - 1981 Louis Bacon, 1904 - 1967 Sandy Williams, 1906 - 1991 Edgar Sampson, 1907 - 1973 Credit Line National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; acquired through the generosity of Michael E. We all know and love a storied musical rivalry or two.
