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Jimmie Lunceford
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Jimmie Lunceford
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The Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra
has always been a bit difficult to evaluate. Contemporary observers rated
Lunceford
's big band at the top with
Duke Ellington
and
Count Basie
but, when judging the music solely on their records (and not taking into account their visual show, appearance and showmanship),
Lunceford
's ensemble has to be placed on the second tier. His orchestra lacked any really classic soloists (altoist
Willie Smith
and trombonist
Trummy Young
came the closest) and a large portion of the
band's repertoire either featured the dated vocals of
Dan Grissom
or were pleasant novelties. And yet, the well-rehearsed ensembles were very impressive, some of the arrangements (particularly those of
Sy Oliver
) were quite original and the use of glee-club vocalists and short concise solos were pleasing and often memorable. Plus
Lunceford
's was the first orchestra to feature high-note trumpeters (starting with
Tommy Stevenson
in 1934) and had a strong influence on the early
Stan Kenton Orchestra
.
Although he was trained on several instruments and was featured on flute on "Liza" in the 1940s,
Jimmie Lunceford
was much more significant as a bandleader than as a musician. While teaching music at Manassa High School in Memphis in 1927,
Lunceford
organized a student band called
the Chickasaw Syncopators
, recording two songs that year and a pair in 1930. After leaving Memphis, the band (known by then as
the Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra
) played in Cleveland and Buffalo and cut two songs in 1933 that were not issued until decades later. 1934 was the breakthrough year. The orchestra made a strong impression playing at New York's Cotton Club, waxed a few notable songs for Victor and then started recording regularly for Decca. Their tight ensembles and colorful shows made them a major attraction throughout the remainder of the swing era. Among their many hits were "Rhythm Is Our Business," "Four or Five Times," "Swanee River," "Charmaine," "My Blue Heaven," "Organ Grinder's Swing," "Ain't She Sweet," "For Dancers Only," "'Tain't What You Do, It's the Way That Cha Do It," "Uptown Blues" and "Lunceford Special." The stars of the band included arranger
Sy Oliver
(on trumpet and vocals),
Willie Smith
,
Trummy Young
(who had a hit with "Margie") and tenor saxophonist
Joe Thomas
.
In 1939 it was a major blow when
Tommy Dorsey
lured
Sy Oliver
away (although trumpeters
Gerald Wilson
and
Snooky Young
were important new additions). Unfortunately
Lunceford
underpaid most of his sidemen, not thinking to reward them for their loyalty in the lean years. In 1942
Willie Smith
was one of several key players who left for better-paying jobs elsewhere and the orchestra gradually declined.
Jimmie Lunceford
was still a popular bandleader in 1947 when he suddenly collapsed; rumors have persisted that he was poisoned by a racist restaurant owner who was very reluctant about feeding his band. After
Lunceford
's death, pianist/arranger
Ed Wilcox
and
Joe Thomas
tried to keep the orchestra together but in 1949 the band permanently broke up. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
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© 2008 All Music Guide, inc. All rights reserved.