King Kolax

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King Kolax (born November 6, 1912 in Kansas City / Missouri as William Little , † December 18, 1991 in Chicago / Illinois ) was an American jazz trumpeter .

Live and act

Kolax came to Chicago as a child, where he attended elementary school and had his first lessons at "Wendell Phillips High School" with Captain Walter Dyett , who later became the director of "DuSable High School". He later studied at the Chicago Conservatory of Music.

Kolax made his first professional appearances from 1936 to 1937 with a swing formation by Les Wilcox , Howard Loach , trumpeter Robert Dade , trombonist James Aldridge , saxophonists Andrew "Goon" Gardner , James Skinner and Hiram Nichols , and pianist Nat King Cole , bassist Eddie Cole, and drummer Al Brown included . From 1938 to 1939 Kolax performed with the quintet "King Kolax and His Rhythm Makers" (with Fred Brown, Swing Wally , Jap Allen and Hillard Brown ) and his own big band in the Chicago "65 Club". Charlie Parker was a member of this big band for a short time .

From 1940 to 1942 Kolax worked with his band in the " Savoy Ballroom ", at that time a center of the jazz scene. In late 1942 he broke up his band and toured the Midwest with Ernie Fields .

By 1943, Kolax's Orchestra became the first band of African American musicians to appear on NBC radio. With this "NBC Orchestra" he toured the USA in the following years. In the meantime Benny Powell also played in this band. In 1946 he disbanded this big band and joined Billy Eckstine's last big band . In 1948 Kolax was a member of a band that accompanied singer Sonny Parker .

Also in the 1950s Kolax led various own formations from quintets to big bands, among others with Alonzo "Pookie" Johnson . With his orchestra he played a. a. by the late 1970s he recorded with Danny Overbea, Rudy Green, Mabel Scott , Robert "Billy" Brooks, Piney Brown , Clyde Williams, Harvey Ellington and others. In 1981 he withdrew completely from the music business. Ten years later he died of Alzheimer's disease at Roseland Hospital in Chicago .

Discography

Singles

  • 1952: She's Funny That Way / Side Man
  • 1953: If I Can't Have You / Someday, Someway ( The Flamingos with The King Kolax Orchestra)
  • 1953: Newport News / Mirror Blues (Johnny Sellers with The King Kolax Orchestra; released June)
  • 1953: Love Is a Pain / No Need of Your Crying (Rudy Green His Guitar with The King Kolax Orchestra)
  • 1953: Hurry Home Baby / That's My Desire (The Flamingos with The King Kolax Orchestra)
  • 1953: 40 Cups of Coffee / I'll Follow You (Danny Overbea with King Kolax and His Orchestra)
  • 1954: Stomp and Whistle / Ebony Chant (Danny Overbea with King Kolax and His Orchestra; release: March)
  • 1955: Vivian / Goodnite Blues (King Kolax and His Quintette)
  • 1957: Never Had a Dream / Jealous of My Shadow (Earl H. Pugh and King Kolax Band; release: March)
  • 1957: Baby You're a Little Bit Forgetful (Clyde Williams with King Kolax Band; release: October)
  • 1957: Wishin 'Well / New Rockin' Baby (Chaunteurs with King Kolax & His Band)
  • 1960: Don't Look Now / In the Center of My Heart (Wilbur "Hi-Fi" White and King Kolax Band)
  • 1960: Lenora / Valentino ( The Vondells with King Kolax & Combo)

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Kolax, King
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Little, William (maiden name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American jazz trumpeter
DATE OF BIRTH November 6, 1912
PLACE OF BIRTH Kansas City (Missouri)
DATE OF DEATH December 18, 1991
Place of death Chicago , Illinois