Don Redman

Donald Matthew Redman (July 29, 1900 – November 30, 1964) was an American jazz musician, arranger, bandleader, and composer.

Biography Redman was born in Piedmont, Mineral County, West Virginia, United States.

Career In 1923, Redman joined the Fletcher Henderson orchestra, mostly playing clarinet and saxophones.

He began writing arrangements, and Redman did much to formulate the sound that was to become swing. A trademark of Redman's arrangements was the band playing harmony under written solos. He played brass and reed sections off each other in a call-response pattern, having one section punctuate the figures of another, and moved the melody around different orchestral sections and soloists. His use of this technique was sophisticated, highly innovative, and formed the basis of much big band jazz writing in the following decades.

In 1927, Jean Goldkette persuaded Redman to join McKinney's Cotton Pickers as their musical director and leader.

Death and posthumous tribute Don Redman died in New York City on November 30, 1964, aged 64, from undisclosed causes.

Discography As leader 1931–33 The Chronological D R 1931-1933 (Classics 543, 1990) 1933–36 The Chronological D R 1933-1936 (Classics 553, 1991) 1936–39 The Chronological D R 1936-1939 (Classics 574, 1991) How'm I Doin' Hey Hey (Brunswick 6273, 1932) Doin' the New Lowdown (Brunswick 6520, 1932) Doin' the New Lowdown (Hep, 1994)

As sideman With Fletcher Henderson A Study in Frustration (Columbia, 1961) (4lp box set) Wrappin' It Up (Membran, 2005) Sweet and Hot (Le Chant du Monde, 2007)

With McKinney's Cotton Pickers The Chronological McK C P 1928–1929 (Classics, 1991) The Chronological McK C P 1929–1930 (Classics, 1991) McKinney's Cotton Pickers, 1930–1931/Don Redman & His Orchestra, 1939–1940 (Classics, 1992) Put It There, Volume 1 – 1928–29 (Frog, 1999) Cotton Picker's Scat, Volume 2 – 1930 (Frog, 1999) Shag Nasty, Volume 3 The Alternate Masters (Frog, 1999)