Walter Page facts for kids

Walter Sylvester Page (born February 9, 1900 – died December 20, 1957) was an American jazz musician. He played many instruments and led bands. Walter Page is best known for his amazing work as a double bass player. He played with his own band, the Oklahoma City Blue Devils, and later with the famous Count Basie Orchestra.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Walter Page was born in Gallatin, Missouri, on February 9, 1900. His parents were Edward and Blanche Page. Walter loved music from a young age. His aunt Lillie, who was a music teacher, helped him discover this love.

In 1910, Walter and his mother moved to Kansas City, Missouri. His mother taught him folksongs and spirituals. This helped build his love for music. He first played the bass drum and bass horn in local brass bands.

Learning the String Bass

Walter got his first real music lessons from Major N. Clark Smith. Smith was a retired military bandleader. At Lincoln High School, Major Smith taught Walter to play the string bass.

Walter remembered Major Smith in an interview. He said Smith taught almost everyone in Kansas City. One day, Smith needed a bass player. He told Walter to "Get the bass," and that's how Walter started playing it.

Walter also looked up to another bassist named Wellman Braud. He saw Braud play in a band. Walter said he could only hear the "oomp, oomp, oomp" of the bass. He knew then that the bass was for him. Braud played with great power and made the notes "jump right out of the box."

Walter Page's Music Career

After high school, Walter Page studied music at the University of Kansas. He wanted to become a music teacher. He finished a three-year music course in just one year.

Playing with Bennie Moten

From 1918 to 1923, Walter played with the Bennie Moten Orchestra. He played the tuba, bass saxophone, and string bass. He earned money playing with Moten and another band on weekends.

In 1923, Walter left Moten's band. He joined Billy King's Road Show. They toured across the United States. Future bandmates Jimmy Rushing and Count Basie were also in this band.

Forming the Blue Devils

Billy King's band soon broke up. This led Walter Page to form his own band in 1925. It was called Walter Page and the Blue Devils. They were a "territory band," meaning they played mostly in the Oklahoma City and Wichita, Kansas areas.

Over six years (1925-1931), many famous musicians played with the Blue Devils. These included Basie, Rushing, Lester Young, and Hot Lips Page. Count Basie remembered seeing the Blue Devils for the first time. He said Walter Page, who played bass, was the leader. Musicians called him "Big 'Un." Basie noted that everyone respected and liked Walter.

Walter wanted his band to compete with Moten's band. Some say they did, and Walter's band won. Moten often tried to hire musicians from the Blue Devils by offering more money. Basie and Eddie Durham joined Moten in 1929. Rushing and Walter Page himself followed later. Walter still felt Moten had a "biggest heart."

Walter tried to keep the Blue Devils going. But with key members leaving, it was hard. He faced problems with bookings and a musicians' union. So, he gave control of the band to James Simpson. Walter then joined Moten's band in 1931 and stayed until 1934. Count Basie said Walter's bass playing made a big difference in Moten's band.

Joining Count Basie's Orchestra

After Moten's death in 1935, Count Basie took over the band. Walter Page rejoined Basie's group. He stayed with the Count Basie Orchestra from 1935 to 1942.

Walter Page, drummer Jo Jones, guitarist Freddie Green, and pianist Count Basie became known as the "All-American Rhythm Section." They created the famous "Basie Sound." Walter, as the bass player, set a clear beat. This allowed the other musicians to play more freely. Before this, the rhythm in jazz often came from the piano's left hand and the bass drum.

After leaving Basie's band in 1942, Walter played with smaller groups in Kansas City. He returned to the Basie Band in 1946 for three more years. Basie said Walter "just decided that he was ready to come back."

After his second time with Basie, Walter worked as a freelance musician. He played with many artists until his death in 1957. These included Jimmy McPartland, Eddie Condon, Ruby Braff, Roy Eldridge, and many former Basie band members.

Walter Page's Style and Influence

Walter Page is famous for helping to create and make popular the "walking bass" style. This is where the bass plays a note on all four beats of the music. Before him, many jazz bass players used a two-beat style.

Walter said that Wellman Braud influenced him. Braud might have been the first to record the "walking bass" style. While it's not fully clear who invented it, Walter Page is seen as one of the most important people to make it popular.

Walter Page was known for his steady timekeeping. He was one of the first bassists to play four beats to the bar. This was different from the two-beat style of New Orleans jazz.

His bandmate Eddie Durham said Walter Page made the double bass a strong instrument. You could hear him clearly even without electronic sound help. Durham said Walter "was like a house with a note" because of his strong playing.

Walter Page also helped the bass become a melodic instrument. This means it could play tunes, not just the beat. He "opened the door" for other great bass players like Jimmy Blanton. Walter once said, "I'm not just a bass player, I'm a musician with a foundation."

Walter understood all the instruments in his bands. This was because he played many instruments himself. On one recording, "Blue Devil Blues," he played the tuba, then the string bass, and finally the baritone saxophone. He played all three "astoundingly well."

The All-American Rhythm Section

Walter Page's work with the Count Basie Orchestra from 1935 to 1942 is very important. The "All-American Rhythm Section" (Page, Jo Jones, Freddie Green, and Count Basie) set a high standard for jazz rhythm sections. This standard is still used today.

These four musicians created a strong base for the band's exciting music. Jo Jones said Walter Page taught him to play an "even 4/4" beat. Walter's steady bass playing was a key part of their sound. Jo Jones described the rhythm section as a team effort. He said, "We worked at it, to build a rhythm section, every day, every night."

Death

Walter Page died suddenly on December 20, 1957. He had been playing gigs in New York City right up until his death. It is said he got pneumonia while going to a recording session during a snowstorm.

An obituary in Jet magazine said he died of kidney problems and pneumonia. He was 57. Some people think his early death is why he is not as well-known in jazz history. Walter Page never looked for praise. He just wanted to know that his influence on music was appreciated.

Discography

With Count Basie

• The Original American Decca Recordings (GRP, 1937-39 [1992])

With Buck Clayton

• The Huckle-Buck and Robbins' Nest (Columbia, 1954)
• How Hi the Fi (Columbia, 1954)
• Jumpin' at the Woodside (Columbia, 1955)
• All the Cats Join In (Columbia 1956)

With Lester Young and Buck Clayton

• The "Kansas City" Sessions (Commodore, 1938 [1997])

With Paul Quinichette

• For Basie (Prestige, 1957)

With Lester Young, Charlie Christian and Buck Clayton

• From Spirituals to Swing (Vanguard, 1938 - 1939 [1999])

With Ruby Braff

• The Ruby Braff Octet with Pee Wee Russell & Bobby Henderson at Newport (Verve, 1957)

See also

In Spanish: Walter Page para niños

• Kansas City Jazz
• Count Basie Orchestra
• Oklahoma City Blue Devils