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Alvin “Junior” Raglin was born March 16, 1917 and started out on guitar but had picked up bass by the mid-1930s. He played with Eugene Coy from 1938 to 1941 in Oregon and then joined duke Ellington’s Orchestra, replacing Jimmy Blanton. Junior remained in Ellington’s employ from 1941 to 1945.

After leaving Ellington’s orchestra, Raglin led his own quartet, and also played with Dave Rivera, Ella Fitzgerald and Al Hibbler. He returned to play with Ellington again briefly in 1946 and 1955, however he fell ill in the late 1940s and quit performing.

Junior Raglin, swing jazz double bassist, died on November 10, 1955 at age 38, never having the opportunity to record as a leader.

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