Chick Webb was a jazz and swing drummer and bandleader who enjoyed huge success and popularity during the 1930s before his career was tragically cut short by his death from spinal tuberculosis in 1939 at the age of 34. He was renowned for introducing the teenaged Ella Fitzgerald to the scene as his featured vocalist. With a much-admired powerful virtuoso drumming technique, he was a highly influential figure, paving the way for the likes of Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich and Louie Bellson. This 16 track LP shines a light on his most important and influential releases under his own name. It contains a significant number of recordings featuring Ella Fitzgerald, who performed on several of his 17 career hits, most notably the No.1 "A-Tisket, A-Tasket". Also featured is his original version of "Stompin' At The Savoy", plus many other classics of the era - "Don't Be That Way", "You'll Have To Swing It", "Rock It For Me", "Undecided", "T'Ain't What You Do" and more. It's a substantial overview of his recording career, and a highly entertaining showcase for his distinctive approach, not to mention his important work with Ella Fitzgerald as an emerging star of the day.
Radio broadcasts of 1939 are the source of this extraordinary collection of tunes played by the Chick Webb Orchestra. One of the most respected bandleaders and drummers of swing, Webb is credited with an undefeated record in his Battles of the Bands at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem (including a victory over Benny Goodman in 1937) and with having discovered Ella Fitzgerald, who positively shimmers on ballads like "That Was My Heart" and "Deep in a Dream."
Drummer Chick Webb led one of the most dynamic and exciting Big Bands of the Pre-war era. His abilities for talent spotting led to the discovery and nurturing of two of the 20th century's most influential artists- Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan- both of whom feature in this collection of some of his best known recordings. A perfect introduction to one of the all time jazz greats.
Chick Webb w. Ella Fitzgerald, Del Thomas, Nat Story, Mario Bauza+; Bill Challis w. Bea Wain, Charlie Margulis, Manny Klein, Artie Shaw+; Woody Herman w. Clarence Willard, Kermit Simmons, Joe Bishop, Neal Reid+, (companion disk to CIR 71 CD)
