Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Hank Frederic Gregson Wayland was born January 21, 1906 in Fall River, Massachusetts. He learned music from his father who was a musician and played in high school bands. He moved to New York City in 1926, where he played the double bass in theater orchestras and in the studios.

In the 1930s he performed and/or recorded with Benny Goodman, Red Norvo, Artie Shaw, Bunny Berigan, and Larry Clinton. During The Depression, Wayland was forced to send his sons to Florida to live with his wife’s brother while he toured the US and in Europe.

In the early Forties Hank played with Bob Chester, then moved to California the following year where he played with Eddie Miller and Wingy Manone in addition to more work as a studio musician. He appeared in bit parts in low budget Hollywood films, however he did appear without credit in the film Stars and Stripes Forever.

During The Depression, Wayland was forced to send his sons to Florida to live with his wife’s brother while he toured the US and in Europe. He eventually relocated his family to Glendale, California and faded from the scene after the 1950s. He officially retired from his music career in 1968.

Diagnosed with colon cancer in 1978 he underwent a colectomy. Later that year he was suspected of suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Double bassist Hank Wayland, who never led a recording session, died peacefully on March 27, 1983 while living in a retirement home.

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