THE HOUSE BANDS AT THE SAVOY BALLROOM THE SAVOY BALLROOM

• Opened March 12, 1926

• Owned by Moe Gale, a Jewish businessman

• Managed and operated by Charles Buchanan, an African- American businessman

• Located on Lenox Ave. between 140th and 141st streets in , NYC.

• Closed July 10th, 1958 and demolished in 1959 E. Simms Campbell's nightlife map of Harlem, from 1932. Savoy Floor Plan courtesy Mike Thibault THE SAVOY BEARCATS

• The Savoy Bearcats were the first house band at the savoy from its opening in 1926 to 1928

• Led by violinist Leon Abbey

• Previously known as the Charleston Bearcats

Bearcat Stomp FESS WILLIAMS & HIS ROYAL FLUSH ORCHESTRA

• Held the house band position from 1928 to 1930

• Led by reed player Stanley “Fess” Williams

White Ghost Shivers & HIS BRIGHT BOYS

• Held a brief tenure as the house band in 1930

• Led by reed man Cecil Scott and managed by brother Lloyd Scott

• Featured musicians that would become much more famous in their time with other groups such as , , , , and John Williams (not the Star Wars one).

Lawd, Lawd CLAUDE HOPKINS & HIS ORCHESTRA

• Was the house band in 1930 and 1931

• Took over at the in 1932 and broke big there.

Mush Mouth WILLIE BRYANT & HIS ORCHESTRA

• House band at the savoy in 1934

• Willie Bryant was the frontman for the band, but wasn’t a musician and was only a passable singer. He was, however, light skinned and good at business, so he made a good face for the more accomplished musicians. The band was musically directed by Bill Dogget.

Rigamarole CHICK WEBB & HIS ORCHESTRA

• The most famous and long tenured of the Savoy house bands was led by drummer Chick Webb

• The band took the bandstand in 1931 and kept its position as the preeminent band until Webb’s death in 1939

Stompin’ at the Savoy

• Joined Chick Webb in 1935

• Took over leadership of the Chick Webb orchestra after his death in 1939

Sing me a Swing Song & HIS ORCHESTRA

• House band in the late 30s opposite Chick Webb

• Most famous for composing “Tuxedo Junction”

Tuxedo Junction & HIS ORCHESTRA

• House band in the late 30s when Chick Webb was not available

• One of the first bands to develop stylings with players such as .

King Porter Stomp & HIS ORCHESTRA

• House band in 1939 and 1940

• Carter was mostly known as an alto saxophonist, but also was an accomplished trumpeter and composer/arranger

A Good Deal & HIS ORCHESTRA

• House band in 1940

• Lucky Millinder didn’t play an instrument, or read or write music, and rarely sung, but was a charismatic bandleader and savvy businessman.

Savoy

• Brought into the scene by Lucky Millinder

• A gospel singer and accomplish guitarist, Tharpe is often considered the first Rock & Roll artist

Shout, Sister, Shout AL COOPER & HIS SAVOY SULTANS

• House band at the Savoy from the late 30s to 1946

• Did not use trombones

• sound and style with relatively small instrumentation

Jumpin’ at the Savoy & HIS RUG CUTTERS

• House band in the mid 40s, and again for a time in the mid 50s as a rhythm & blues outfit

• Williams was famous for his use of mutes, particularly the plunger mute

Diga Diga Doo & HIS ORCHESTRA

• Early Rhythm & Blues outfit that was the house band at the savoy in the late 40s and early 50s

• Led by Tenor Saxophonist Tab Smith

Granny Dodging at the Savoy & HIS ORCHESTRA

• House band in the early 50s

• Former sideman with the Orchestra, left Basie to form his own units in 1949

Grand Slam BUDDY JOHNSON ORCHESTRA

• Led by pianist Buddy Johnson

• Last of the major Savoy house bands, but active there from 1946 all the way to the end in 1958

• Transitioned from a swing band to a and R&B outfit. Unlike many other bands of the time, increased in size over time.

Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball A TRIBUTE: TERRY MONAGHAN

• Terry was a historian of dance and one of the foremost experts on the Savoy ballroom. Much of the research for this presentation comes out of his work.

• Sadly, Terry passed away in 2011 Presentation by Adam Lee

Slides available at: www.swingbarons.com/documents

If you would like to have a similar presentation done at your event, or if you have questions about the presentation, contact Adam at: [email protected]