| Walter Page | |
|---|---|
Ray Bauduc (drums), Billie Holiday (singing), Claude Hopkins (piano), and Walter Page (double-bass) |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Walter Sylvester Page |
| Also known as | "Hoss" |
| Born | February 9, 1900 |
| Origin | Gallatin, Missouri, USA |
| Died | December 20, 1957 |
| Genres | Jazz, Swing |
| Occupations | Double bassist |
| Instruments | Double bass |
| Associated acts | Bennie Moten, Count Basie, Oran 'Hot Lips' Page |
Walter Sylvester Page (February 9, 1900 – December 20, 1957), nicknamed "Hoss," was an African American jazz bassist and leader of the Oklahoma City Blue Devils jazz orchestra from 1925–1931. He was born in Gallatin, Missouri, and his career began with Bennie Moten, performing with the seminal bandleader from 1918–1923.
From 1925, he led his own band, the Blue Devils, which was the continuation of the Oklahoma City Blue Devils, the line-up of which Count Basie joined in 1928. In 1936, Page was a member of Jones-Smith Incorporated, composed of Carl Smith, Jo Jones, Lester Young and Basie, and shortly after joined the Count Basie orchestra, and other smaller Basie-related bands, becoming part of a legendary rhythm section with Basie, drummer Jo Jones and guitarist Freddie Green. He was a key figure in the development of the walking bass in jazz.