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Big Sid Catlett

Alyn Shipton and drum expert Richard Pite pick highlights of percussionist Big Sid Catlett's recordings, including work with Fletcher Henderson, Benny Goodman and Charlie Parker.

Big Sid Catlett was arguably one of the most naturally talented percussionists in jazz history. To celebrate Catlett's centenary in January 2010, Alyn Shipton is joined by drum expert Richard Pite to pick the highlights of a recorded catalogue that includes work with the swing orchestras of Fletcher Henderson and Benny Goodman, the modern jazz of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, and the original Louis Armstrong All Stars.

1 hour

Last on

Sat 16 Jan 2010 16:00

Music Played

  • Spike Hughes and His Negro Orchestra

    Bugle Call Rag

    Composer: Pettis, Meyers, Schoebel Performers: Shad Collins, Bill Dillard, Leonard Davis, t; Dicky Wells, Wilbur De Paris, George Washington, tb; Benny Carter, Wayman Carver, Howard Johnson, Coleman Hawkins, reeds; Red Rodriguez, p; Lawrence Lucie, g; Ernest Hill, b; Sid Catlett, d. New York, 18 May, 1933.

    • Spike Hughes and his All American Orchestra.
    • Jasmine.
    • 2012.
  • Fletcher Henderson

    Jangled Nerves

    Composer: Henderson, Moore Performers: Dick Vance, Roy Eldridge, Joe Thomas, t; Fernando Arbello, Ed Cuffee, tb; Buster Bailey, Omer Simeon, Chu Berry, Elmer Williams, reeds; Horace Henderson, p; Bob Lessey, g; Israel Crosby, b; Sid Catlett, d. Chicago, 9 April, 1936.

    • Hocus Pocus.
    • Bluebird.
    • ND 90413.
  • Don Redman

    That Naughty Waltz

    Composer: Levey / Stanley Performers: Reunald Jones, Otis Johnson, Harold Baker, t; Gene Simon, Benny Morton, Quentin Jackson, tb; Edward Inge, Rupert Cole, Harvey Boone, Bob Carroll, reeds; Don Kirkpatrick, p; Bob Lessey, g; Bob Ysaguirre, b; Sidney Catlett, d. New York, 28 May, 1937.

    • Don Redman and his Orchestra, 1936-39.
    • Classics.
    • 574.
  • Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra

    Bye and Bye

    Composer: Trad. Performers: Louis Armstrong, t; v; Shelton Hemphill, Bernard Flood, Henry Red Allen, t; Wilbur de Paris, George Washington, J.C. Higginbotham, tb; Rupert Cole, Charlie Holmes, Joe Garland, Bingie Madison, reeds; Luis Russell, p; Lee Blair, g; Pops Foster, b; Sid Catlett, d. New York, 18 December, 1939.

    • You Rascal You.
    • Naxos.
    • 8.120806.
  • Benny Goodman

    The Earl [without drums]

    Composer: Powell Performers: Benny Goodman, cl; ldr; Jimmy Maxell, Billy Butterfield, Cootie Williams, Al Davis, t; Lou McGarity, Cutty Cutshall, tb; Skip Martin, Clint Neagley, Vido Musso, George Berg, Chuck Gentry, reeds; Mel Powell, p; Tom Morgan, g; Morty Stuhlmaker, b. New York, 25 September, 1941.

    • The Alternate Goodman.
    • Phontastic.
    • 7616 Side 2.
  • Benny Goodman

    The Earl [live]

    Composer: Powell Performers: (as above), with Johnny Simmons, b replacing Stuhlmaker, plus Pete Mondello ts; Sid Catlett, d. 25 September, 1941

    • Roll 'Em: Benny Goodman / Big Sid Catlett Live.
    • Vintage Jazz Classics.
    • 1032.
  • Albert Ammons & His Rhythm Kings

    The Breaks

    Composer: Ammons Performers: Hot Lips Page, t; Vic Dickenson, tb; Don Byas, ts; Albert Ammons, p; Israel Crosby, b; Sid Catlett, d. New York, 12 February, 1944.

    • Albert Ammons, 1939-46.
    • 927 Classics.
  • Coleman Hawkins Quartet

    Hallelujah

    Composer: Robin, Grey, Youmans Performers: Coleman Hawkins, ts; Teddy Wilson, p; John Kirby, b; Sid Catlett, d; New York , 29 May, 1944.

    • Coleman Hawkins 1944.
    • Classics.
    • 842.
  • Charlie Parker & Dizzy Gillespie - Hot House

    Composer: Dameron Performers: Dizzy Gillespie, t; Charlie Parker, as; Al Haig, p; Curley Russell, b; Sid Catlett, d. New York , 22 Jun, 1945.

  • Edmond Hall's Blue Note Jazzmen

    Royal Garden Blues

    Composer: Williams Performers: Sidney DeParis, t; Vic Dickenson, tb; Ed Hall, cl; James P Johnson, p; Jimmy Shirley, g; Israel Crosby, b; Sid Catlett, d. 29 November, 1943. [Also on The Blue Note Jazzmen from Blue Note]

    • Edmond Hall, 1937-1944.
    • Classics.
    • 830.
  • Louis Armstrong & His All-Stars

    Boff Boff

    Composer: Hawkins Performers: Louis Armstrong, t; Barney Bigard, cl; Jack Teagarden, tb; Dock Cary, p; Arvell Shaw, b; Sid Catlett, d. Symphony Hall, Boston, 30 November, 1947.

    • Satchmo At Symphony Hall.
    • Verve.

Broadcast

  • Sat 16 Jan 2010 16:00

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