ChickenBones: A Journal
for Literary & Artistic African-American Themes
www.nathanielturner.com 
The Chick Webb Orchestra earned its fame after it became
the house band of the legendary Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, New York
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Chick Webb CDs
Stompin’ at the Savoy / Swing Sation Series / Rhythm Man / Tain’t What You Do (It’s The Way That You Do It)
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Chick Webb: Baltimore’s Jazz Giant
By Amin Sharif
William Henry Webb (Chick Webb) was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1909. Afflicted at birth with spinal tuberculosis which left him in poor health for his entire life, Chick was a small, hunchback of a man who possessed an unconquerable spirit and an astounding musical talent. For many jazz fans, Chick remains arguably the greatest jazz drummer to have ever played the instrument. Yet it was only by a quirk of fate that Chick even came to play the drums.
The idea of playing the instrument was suggested to him by his doctor as a way to loosen up his stiffened limbs. By saving money earned through delivering papers, Chick soon secured a drum set. And by the age of seventeen, Chick was playing in New York nights clubs such as the Black Bottom and the Paddock Club. These early jobs were secured for him through the efforts of Duke Ellington who instantly recognized Chicks talent. It was Ellington who encouraged Chick to form a quintet aptly called the Harlem Stoppers. The name was probably derived from Chicks own hard driving style on the drums as the quintets leader. Later, this quintet would evolve into one of the most feared swing bands in New YorkThe Chick Webb Orchestra.
The Chick Webb Orchestra earned its fame after it became the house band of the legendary Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, New York. At the Savoy jazz bands made reputations for themselves by taking part in cuttin sessions usually against Chick Webbs Orchestra. Count Bassie, Fletcher Henderson, Lloyd Scott and other, merely great, swing bands fell before the awesome power of Chick Webbs spectacular playing. And, when the famous Benny Goodman Band came to Harlem to challenge the Chick Webb Orchestra at the Savoy, they too were left cut and bleeding after the encounter. Even the legendary Gene Krupa was said to have been shell-shocked by the power of Chicks playing. But what else could Krupa expect from a bandleader and drummer whose moniker was The King of the Savoy!
Chick Webbs already mythical reputation was given even greater stature when he replaced his longtime vocalist Charles Linton with a then relatively unknown singer by the name of Ella Fitzgerald. Jazz legend has it that Ella snuck into Chick Webbs dressing room in order to convince him to take her into his bed. But legends notwithstanding, Ella did become Chicks lead vocalist. And Ella, called adoringly by fans and musicians, The First Lady of Swing, always acknowledged Chick Webb as her first and foremost influence.
Together, Chick and Ella, would electrify the Swing era of jazz with hits such as “A-Tisket a Tasket,” which was composed by Ella to cheer Chick up while he was ill. And while this and other great tunes recorded by these artists are well-known, Chicks early worksome say his most impressive soloswas regrettably poorly captured by recording technology ill suited for Chicks immense talent. But one of Chicks hit tunes Stompin at the Savoy gives contemporary jazz fans some hint of the power of Chick Webb and his Orchestra.
In 1938, Chick Webbs health began to fail him. This was mostly due to Chicks chronic spinal condition and his insistence that he and his orchestra would only perform at the height of their talents for their fans. Often it was said that Chick played with such power that he was physically exhausted when he left the bandstand.
In 1939, Chick returned to Baltimore for a major operation. Shortly afterwards, the little giant died on June 16, 1939 with his mother at his side. Chicks funeral procession was said to have been composed of some eighty cars and the church where he was eulogized was said to be unable to hold all the mourners.
For awhile, Ella Fitzgerald carried on Chicks tradition when she became one of the first female bandleaders. But soon the orchestra became too much for Ella to handle. Finally, the band went under. But not after it left a jazz legacy that has been recognized by such jazz greats as Buddy Rich, Louis Bellson, Art Blakely, and Duke Ellington.
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Chick Webb’s Savoy Orchestra Mario Bauza, Reunauld Jones, Taft Jordan (trumpet) Sandy Williams (trombone) Pete Clark, Edgar Sampson (alto sax , clarinet) Elmer Williams (tenor sax) Joe Steele (piano) John Trueheart (banjo,guitar) John Kirby (bass) Chick Webb (drums, leader) Edgar Sampson (arr) recorded in May 18, 1934 Columbia 2926D mx.W152740=
Stomping at the Savoy
Savoy, the home of sweet romance, Savoy, it wins you with a glance, Savoy, gives happy feet a chance to dance.
Your old form just like a clinging vine, Your lips so warm and sweet as wine, Your cheek so soft and close to mine, divine.
How my heart is singing, While the band is swinging, I’m never tired of romping, And stomping with you at the Savoy.
What joy – a perfect holiday, Savoy, where we can glide and sway, Savoy, let me stomp away with you.
The home of sweet romance, It wins you at a glance, Gives happy feet a chance to dance.
Just like a clinging vine, So soft and sweet as wine, So soft and close to mine, divine.
How my heart is singing, While the band is swinging, I’m never, never, never tired of romping, And stomping with you at the Savoy. What joy – a perfect holiday, Savoy, where we can glide and sway, Savoy, let me stomp away with you;
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The White Masters of the World
From The World and Africa, 1965
W. E. B. Du Bois Arraignment and Indictment of White Civilization (Fletcher)
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The Death of Emmett Till by Bob Dylan / The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll / Only a Pawn in Their Game
Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson Thanks America for Slavery
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The Journal of Negro History issues at Project Gutenberg
The Haitian Declaration of Independence 1804 / January 1, 1804 — The Founding of Haiti
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update 3 July 2008
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Home Amin Sharif Table Music and Musicians Chick Webb Memorial Index