Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Paul Webster, born August 24, 1909 in Kansas City, Kansas attended Fisk University and worked as an embalmer before switching to music. He played in bands led by George E. Lee, Bennie Moten, Tommy Douglas and Eli Rice through the 1920s.

In 1931 he joined Jimmie Lunceford’s outfit, left and then returned to play from 1935 to 1944. It was here he took over Tommy Stevenson’s spot and the high-note trumpet player found his fame during this period of his career. It has been noted that he had a big influence on a young Stan Kenton, who later featured high note trumpeters in many of his bands.

Following this Webster played lead trumpet in bands led by Cab Calloway, Charlie Barnet, Sy Oliver, Ed Wilcox, and Count Basie through the war years to the end of the decade. After 1953 he played trumpet only part-time, contributed to ‘Paul Curry Presents the Friends of Fats’ LP in 1959 on the Golden Crest Label, but still occasionally played with Sy Oliver’s band into the 1960s. Jazz trumpeter of the big band era, Paul Webster passed away 0n May 6, 1966.

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