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Cootie Williams

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

Cootie Williams was born in Mobile, Alabama, in 1911 and died in New York in 1985. He was an American trumpeter in jazz, jump blues and rhythm and blues. He began as a professional musician at the age of fourteen in the Young Family band, in which the saxophonist Lester Young also played. In 1928 he made his first records in New York with the pianist James P. Johnson. After that he played briefly with Chick Webb and Fletcher Henderson.

Music and breakthrough

He made his name as a member of Duke Ellington's orchestra, which played at the Cotton Club. He was in that band from 1929 to 1940. He was known for his jungle style on the trumpet, in the line of Bubber Miley and Tricky Sam Nanton, and for his use of the plunger mute, a small mute that makes the sound growl and talk. Ellington wrote Concerto for Cootie for him, which, with lyrics, became Do Nothing till You Hear from Me. He was also the soloist in pieces such as Echoes of Harlem and Harlem Air Shaft.

Influence

In 1940 he moved to Benny Goodman's orchestra, which caused a great stir. In 1941 he started his own orchestra, in which Charlie Parker, Eddie Lockjaw Davis and Bud Powell, among others, played. In the 1950s he played more rhythm and blues. At the end of the 1950s came albums such as The Big Challenge and Porgy and Bess Revisited. In 1962 he returned to Ellington and stayed until 1974. In this way he links the swing era with the later rhythm and blues.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Do Nothing till You Hear from Me and notice the trumpet solo, in particular the sound that resembles a singing voice. Can you hear the muted, growling tone?

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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Categories: Artists