Ernie Fields facts for kids

Ernest Lawrence Fields (born August 28, 1904 – died May 11, 1997) was an American musician. He was a talented trombonist, pianist, and bandleader. A bandleader is someone who leads a musical group. Ernie Fields first became famous for leading a band called the Royal Entertainers. This band was based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and played music across many states. Later in his career, he led another band that made recordings in Los Angeles.

Ernie Fields' Early Life and Music Career

Ernie Fields was born in Nacogdoches, Texas. He grew up in Taft, Oklahoma. He went to Tuskegee University before moving to Tulsa.

Many musicians who later became well-known played in Ernie Fields' band. One of these was the singer and drummer Roy Milton.

The Royal Entertainers and Touring

From the late 1920s, Ernie Fields led his band, the Royal Entertainers. They started to travel more widely and record their music. With help from Bob Wills, Fields' band made history. They became the first African-American band to perform at the famous Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa.

In 1939, a music producer named John H. Hammond invited him to New York City. There, Ernie Fields recorded for the Vocalion label. His band then began to tour all over the country. He didn't become a huge star, but he kept working steadily. He recorded for smaller music companies. His band's sound slowly changed from big band and swing to R&B. During World War II, he played music for soldiers both in the United States and overseas.

Later Career and Hit Songs

Ernie Fields continued to mix swing and R&B music into the 1950s. He played classic swing songs like "Tuxedo Junction" and "Begin the Beguine" with a rocking R&B style.

Moving to Los Angeles and "In the Mood"

In the late 1950s, he moved to Los Angeles. He joined a record company called Rendezvous Records. There, he led their house band. This band included famous musicians like pianist Ernie Freeman, guitarist René Hall, saxophonist Plas Johnson, and drummer Earl Palmer.

In 1959, this band had a big international hit song. It was an R&B version of Glenn Miller's "In the Mood". This song was credited to the Ernie Fields Orchestra. It reached number 4 on the Billboard music chart in the U.S. It also reached number 13 in the UK Singles Chart. The song sold over one million copies, earning a gold disc.

Other Projects and Retirement

The same band, with a few changes in musicians, recorded many other instrumental songs. They used different names for these recordings, such as B. Bumble and the Stingers, the Marketts, and the Routers.

Rendezvous Records closed down in late 1963. Ernie Fields retired from music soon after and went back to Tulsa. He passed away in May 1997, at 92 years old. In 2013, his family gave his musical items to the planned Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture.

His son, Ernie Fields, Jr., also became a saxophonist and bandleader. His daughter, Carmen, became a journalist in Boston. She helped host the evening news for WGBH-TV.

See also

In Spanish: Ernie Fields para niños