Don Redman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Don Redman
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Don Redman, from I Heard (1933)
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Donald Matthew Redman |
| Born | July 29, 1900 Piedmont, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | November 30, 1964 (aged 64) New York City |
| Genres | Jazz, swing |
| Occupation(s) | Arranger, composer, musician |
| Instruments | Clarinet, saxophone, vocals |
| Years active | 1920–1960 |
| Associated acts | Fletcher Henderson |
Donald Matthew Redman (born July 29, 1900 – died November 30, 1964) was an important American jazz musician. He was also a talented arranger, a bandleader, and a composer of music.
Who Was Don Redman?
Don Redman was born in Piedmont, West Virginia, in the United States. Music was a big part of his family. His father taught music, and his mother was a singer. Don started playing the trumpet when he was only three years old! By the age of six, he joined his first band.
He was a very quick learner. By the time he was 12, he could play many different wind instruments. These included the trumpet, oboe, and even the piano. He studied music at Storer College and the Boston Conservatory. Later, he joined a band called Billy Page's Broadway Syncopaters in New York City. Don Redman was also the uncle of famous saxophonist Dewey Redman.
Starting His Music Career
In 1923, Don Redman joined the Fletcher Henderson orchestra. He mostly played the clarinet and saxophones in this group.
He soon started writing music arrangements for the band. An arrangement is how a song is put together for different instruments. Don Redman helped create the special sound that became known as swing. One of his unique ideas was having the band play harmonies under written solos. He would also have different sections of the band, like the brass and reed instruments, play back and forth. This was called a call-response pattern. He moved the main tune around to different parts of the orchestra. His way of arranging music was very new and clever. It became the basis for how many big jazz bands wrote their music for decades.
In 1927, Don Redman became the musical director and leader for McKinney's Cotton Pickers. He helped them become very successful. He arranged more than half of their songs.
Leading His Own Band
Don Redman started his own band in 1931. They often played at a jazz club in Manhattan called Connie's Inn. His band also signed with Brunswick Records and performed on many radio shows.
Don Redman and his Orchestra even made music for a cartoon! They provided the music for an animated short film called I Heard. This cartoon was part of the Betty Boop series. Don Redman wrote original music for the short film, which came out in 1933.
The songs Redman's band recorded between 1931 and 1934 were very complex. They were some of the most advanced pre-swing jazz arrangements of popular tunes. His band was special not just because of its strong rhythm or great soloists. It also had a very high level of arranging skill that was rare for bands at that time. A popular singer named Harlan Lattimore sang on many of their songs. Don Redman sometimes sang too, using a funny, talking-like style on songs such as "Doin' What I Please."
In 1933, his band made a short film for Warner Bros.. Don Redman continued to record music for different labels. In 1937, he started making swing versions of old classic pop songs. He even used a swinging vocal group called "The Swing Choir." This was very modern and unique for the time. He recorded with Bluebird Records until 1940, when he decided to stop leading his own band.
Later Years and Legacy
After his band broke up, Don Redman focused on writing arrangements for other musicians. Some of his arrangements became big hits for famous artists like Jimmy Dorsey, Count Basie, and Harry James.
In 1946, he traveled to Europe leading an all-star band. This band included other jazz greats like Don Byas and Billy Taylor. He also appeared on a TV show called Uptown Jubilee in 1949. In the 1950s, he worked as the music director for the singer Pearl Bailey.
In the early 1960s, Don Redman played piano for the Georgia Minstrels Concert. He also played soprano saxophone with Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle's band.
Death and Honors
Don Redman passed away in New York City on November 30, 1964. He was 64 years old.
His contributions to music were recognized after his death. On May 6, 2009, he was named a member of the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame.
See also
In Spanish: Don Redman para niños
