Chu Berry

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Leon Brown Chu Berry (1908 to 1941) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist of the 1930s. He was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, and studied for three years at West Virginia State College. He began on alto saxophone with local bands and switched to tenor after hearing Coleman Hawkins on tour. According to the critic Gary Giddins, he got his nickname because he chewed on the mouthpiece of his saxophone or because he had a Fu Manchu moustache.

Music and breakthrough

His career took place mainly in swing bands: first with Sammy Stewart, then with Benny Carter, Teddy Hill and Fletcher Henderson. His best-known period was the one with Cab Calloway from 1937 to 1941, where he is said to have turned the orchestra into a real jazz orchestra. As a sideman he played on recordings by Bessie Smith, Mildred Bailey, Teddy Wilson, Billie Holiday and Lionel Hampton. He wrote Christopher Columbus, with lyrics by Andy Razaf, recorded in 1936 by Henderson's orchestra. The song grew into one of the most popular riff tunes of the swing era and returned in Jimmy Mundy's arrangement of Sing, Sing, Sing for Benny Goodman.

Influence

Between 1934 and 1939, when Hawkins was playing in Europe, Berry was among the younger tenor players who competed for the lead, alongside Ben Webster and Lester Young. His command of advanced harmony influenced Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. Parker named his first son Leon after him. Berry also took part in jam sessions at Minton's Playhouse, which helped bebop come into being. He died in 1941 at a young age.

Listening

Discography

Studio albums

• 1955Tops on Tenor