Jimmy Lunceford Biography, Photos and Posters

Jimmy Lunceford

Biography

Born: June 6 , 1902
Hometown: Fulton, MS
Instrument: Alto Saxophone
Music Training: studied music under Paul Whiteman's father, Wilberforce J. Whiteman;
Bands and Orchestras:
Top Recordings: "For Dancers Only," 'Margie," "‘Posin," "Slumming On Park Avenue," "My Blue Heaven," "Organ Grinders Swing"
Jimmy Lunceford biography: He spent his formative years in Denver, CO. He held a BA from Fisk College and also studied at CCNY in New York City. While serving as an athletic instructor at Manassas High School in Memphis, Tennessee he recruited members for his band. The student band called the Chicksaw Syncopators made its first recordings for RCA Records in 1930. After playing several in Cleveland and Buffalo the group earned a high profile engagement at the Cotton Club in Harlem. It was the addition of now famous arranger and trumpet player Sy Oliver which gave the group its distinctive two-beat sound. By 1935 the group now known as the Jimmy Lunceford Orchestra gained the reputation as the country's best black swing band. In 1935 the group recorded a series of songs written and arranged by Sy Oliver attributed to Jimmy Lunceford. In 1939 Tommy Dorsey lured Ooliver away from the Lunceford Orchestra. The groups popularity continued through the 40s even after the sudden unexpected death, from a heart attack while signing autographs in Seaside, OR, of its leader in 1947. The group finally disbanded permanently in 1950.
Died: 1947

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