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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 ZMcKINNEY'S COTTON PICKERSA legendary jazz-oriented black dance band. Bill McKinney (b 17 September 1895, Cynthiana KY; d there 14 October 1969) was a circus drummer after WWI, joined the Synco Jazz Band in Springfield OH and turned the drum chair over to Cuba Austin to become front man; they were signed by the Jean Goldkette organization, changed their name and had a residency at Goldkette's Greystone Ballroom in Detroit, touring as far as NYC. Goldkette hired Don Redman as music director in 1927, ensuring their fame: thanks to Redman the Cotton Pickers were perhaps the first modern 'big band': of all the dance bands of the late '20s, its records have dated least. Discographies were confused for years because a few early records under McKinney's name were actually Goldkette sides, because Goldkette paid Redman to rehearse some of his white bands as well, and because on the occasion of some November 1929 record dates in New York, the band's business in Detroit was so good that they were not allowed to go, so Redman recorded with a pick-up group of men from other bands (including Coleman Hawkins, Benny Carter and Fats Waller). To confuse matters further, a Redman Chocolate Dandies date in October 1928 had been essentially the Cotton Pickers. Many fine records on Victor included 'Milenberg Joys' '28, 'If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight' '30, with a solo by Carter, vocal by George Thomas (b Charleston; d '30 in car crash; aka 'Fathead', also played saxes; recorded with Duke Ellington '26). They left Detroit and Goldkette '30 (they were never paid enough) and split mid-1931. Some left to go with Redman's new band; Carter was music director for a year; they continued touring but well-publicized dissension and above all the Depression hurt: they split finally in 1934. Other bands used the Cotton Pickers name; McKinney re-formed '35, ran a cafe in Detroit '37, continued fronting bands until '40, worked in a Ford factory. The complete Cotton Pickers sides were compiled on French RCA, including sidemen such as Joe Smith, Langston Curl, John Nesbitt on trumpets; Claude Jones and Ed Cuffee on trombones, reedmen including Prince Robinson; later Rex Stewart, Carter, Ralph Escudero on tuba, etc; CD compilation McKinney's Cotton Pickers (1928-1930): The Band Don Redman Built on Bluebird is recommended. Monograph McKinney's Music '78 by John Chilton tells the story of a popular legendary outfit. |