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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZMORTON, Benny(b Henry Sterling Morton, 31 Jan. '07, NYC; d 28 Dec. '85) Trombone; with J.C. Higginbotham, Dickie Wells, Sandy Williams and a few others, one of the best on the instrument in the big bands of the Swing Era. Turned pro c'24, played with Fletcher Henderson '26-8, again '31; with Chick Webb '31, Don Redman '32-7 (recorded four sides '34 leading nonet drawn from the Redman band incl. Red Allen, Don Kirkpatrick, etc with vocals by sidemen); with Count Basie '37-40, then small groups with Teddy Wilson, Ed Hall; own band '44-6; made 12} 78s for Blue Note '45 with All Stars incl. Barney Bigard, Ben Webster, Israel Crosby, also on Keynote with Trombone Choir. Played in about 20 Broadway show pit bands '44-59, did studio work and freelance gigging until joining the World's Greatest Jazz Band '70s (see Yank Lawson). |