Red Saunders (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Red Saunders
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"Red" Saunders, drummer, and his band, at the Club DeLisa, Chicago, Illinois
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Theodore Dudley Saunders |
| Born | March 2, 1912 Memphis, Tennessee, United States |
| Died | March 5, 1981 (aged 69) Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Genres | Jazz, rhythm and blues |
| Instruments | Drums |
| Years active | 1928–1970s |
Theodore Dudley "Red" Saunders (born March 2, 1912 – died March 5, 1981) was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. He was known for his amazing drumming skills. Red also played other instruments like the vibraphone and timpani.
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Red Saunders' Early Life and Career
Red Saunders was born in Memphis, Tennessee. After his mother passed away, he moved to Chicago with his sister. He started taking drum lessons while at a boarding school in Milwaukee. Later, he even earned a music scholarship to the University of Texas.
Red became a professional musician in 1928. He began by playing in a band called Stomp King's band. For several years, he toured the country with Ira Coffey's Walkathonians. This band played at exciting walkathon events. After that, he joined a show called Curtis Mosby's Harlem Scandals.
When he returned to Chicago in 1934, he joined Tiny Parham's band. They played at the famous Savoy Ballroom. Red quickly became a well-known drummer in Chicago's clubs and hotels.
Leading a Band at Club DeLisa
In 1937, Saunders joined the house band at the Club DeLisa. At first, pianist Albert Ammons led the band. Then, saxophonist Delbert Bright briefly took over. Soon after, Red Saunders became the bandleader himself.
Red stayed in charge of the Club DeLisa band until the club closed in 1958. His band played four to six shows every night! He took a break between 1945 and 1947. During this time, he led a smaller band at other places in Chicago and Indianapolis.
Many talented musicians played with Red Saunders. These included Leon Washington and Porter Kilbert. Other band members were Earl Washington, Sonny Cohn, and Ike Perkins. The famous singer Joe Williams also played with him. Red also worked with great music arrangers like Johnny Pate and Sun Ra.
Red Saunders' Recordings and Performances
Red Saunders made his first recordings as a bandleader in 1945. He recorded for Savoy Records. He also played drums for many famous rhythm and blues artists. These included T-Bone Walker, Big Joe Turner, and LaVern Baker. He also recorded with Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Willie Mabon.
For several years, Red recorded his own music. He didn't have huge commercial success at first. But in 1952, his song "Hambone" became popular. This traditional children's song was released on the OKeh label. It featured Dolores Hawkins and the Hambone Kids. The song even reached some R&B music charts!
In 1956, Red recorded with Guy Warren. They worked on Warren's album Africa Speaks—America Answers!. Even though Red had a regular job at Club DeLisa, he also played with jazz legends. He performed with Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Woody Herman.
Red continued to lead a band in Chicago into the 1960s. They played at the Regal Theater. In the 1970s, he played with Little Brother Montgomery and Art Hodes. This was at the New Orleans Jazz Festival.
Red Saunders' Family Life
Red Saunders met his wife, Ella, in California. She was a chorus girl, and they were performing in the same show. In 1942, a photographer named Jack Delano took pictures of Red, Ella, and their two children at home in Chicago. The family's last name was accidentally written as "Sounders" in the photo records.
Red Saunders passed away in Chicago in 1981. He was 69 years old.
