Jeter-Pillars Orchestra

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Jeter-Pillars Orchestra was a jazz troupe led by altoist James Jeter and tenor-saxophonist Hayes Pillars.

Jeter and Pillars were previously members of Alphonso Trent's big band. After that outfit split in 1933 they formed the group, which subsequently became the house band at the Club Plantation in St. Louis, Missouri, their homebase for the next decade. Including the likes of trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison, bassist Jimmy Blanton, drummers Jo Jones, Sid Catlett and Kenny Clarke, guitarist Floyd Smith, tenor-saxophonist Jimmy Forrest, and alto saxophonist Chris Woods over the years, the Jeter-Pillars Orchestra served as a training ground for up-and-coming jazz players. In the late 1940s the group toured the Far East for the USO, before breaking up.

The Jeter-Pillars Orchestra recorded four sides for Vocalion Records in 1937. The recordings were:

Lazy Rhythm, There Theme Song, I Like Pie, I Like Cake, Make Believe and I'll Always Be In Love With You