Paul Webster (jazz)
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Paul Webster (August 24, 1909 - May 6, 1966) was a jazz trumpet player in the big band era. He is best remembered for having been Jimmie Lunceford's high-note trumpet player (taking over Tommy Stevenson's spot when he left the band). According to some sources, he was a big influence on a young Stan Kenton, who later featured high note trumpeters in many of his bands.
Born in Kansas City, Webster attended Fisk University and worked as an embalmer before switching to music. He played in bands led by George E. Lee (1927), Bennie Moten (1927-1928), Tommy Douglas, and Eli Rice before joining Lunceford's band (first briefly in 1931 and then from 1935 to 1944). Following this Webster played lead trumpet in bands led by Cab Calloway (1948-1949, off and on), Charlie Barnet (1946-1947 and 1952-1953), Sy Oliver (1947), Ed Wilcox (1948-1949), and Count Basie (1950). After 1953 he played trumpet only part-time but still occasionally played with Sy Oliver's band into the 1960s.
[edit] Sources
- Determeyer, Eddy. Rhythm Is Our Business: Jimmie Lunceford and the Harlem Express. University of Michigan Press, 2006. ISBN 0472115537
- Yanow, Scott. Trumpet Kings: The Players Who Shaped the Sound of Jazz Trumpet. Backbeat Books, 2001. ISBN 0879306408
