Jerry Blake
Jerry Blake (born January 23, 1908 in Gary (Indiana) as Jacinto Chabania , † December 31, 1961 ) was an American clarinetist and alto saxophonist of swing jazz .
biography
Jerry Blake grew up in Nashville and first learned the violin before switching to woodwind instruments. In 1924 he was traveling with the Sells-Fioto Circus Band , with whom he came to Chicago ; there he played in 1925 in Al Wynn's band.
He then worked with Bobby Lee and Charlie Turner , toured Europe in 1928/29 in Sam Wooding's band . In the 1930s he worked with Chick Webb , Zack Whyte and Don Redman (1933-34), among others , before moving back to Europe to play with Willie Lewis in 1934/35 . Back in the United States, he worked in the bands of Claude Hopkins , Fletcher Henderson (1936-38) and Cab Calloway (1938-42), where he was also the band's musical director.
In the early 1940s Blake played with Count Basie , Earl Hines , Lionel Hampton and again with Redman; however, around 1943 Blake had a nervous breakdown and was henceforth unable to practice his profession. He spent the rest of his life in mental hospitals.
Blake, who also played the alto saxophone and worked as an arranger, was known for his growl effect. His best-known solo contributions included "Got the Jitters" (Don Redman), "Fare Thee Well to Harlem" ( Benny Morton , 1934), "Rose Room" (Fletcher Henderson, 1937) and "A Smooth One" (Cab Calloway, 1941).
Web links
- Scott Yanow : Jerry Blake biography on Allmusic (English)
Lexical entry
- John Jörgensen, Erik Wiedemann : Jazz Lexicon . Munich, mosaic, 1967
Individual evidence
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Blake, Jerry |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Chabania, Jacinto (maiden name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American clarinetist and swing jazz alto saxophonist |
| DATE OF BIRTH | January 23, 1908 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Gary (Indiana) |
| DATE OF DEATH | December 31, 1961 |