Savoy Sultans
The Savoy Sultans was an American swing band that was active from 1937 to 1946 .
The band was founded in New York in 1937 by the alto saxophonist Al Cooper . The band quickly became popular and was a successful dance band that performed in the Savoy Ballroom until 1941, along with the Chick Webb Orchestra, and both together were feared by guest bands because of their popularity in the Battle of the Bands. In the heyday of the swing bands, the orchestra was considered one of the leading North American dance bands. At that time the trumpeter Pat Jenkins , who is considered the most outstanding soloist in the band, as well as the saxophonists Rudy Williams and George Kelly , as well as the bassist Grachan Moncur II , played in it; Betty Roche (1941/42) and Helen Procter and Evelyn White worked as singers with the Savoy Sultans . Their music consisted of simple head arrangements and short solos, but was very popular with dancers. Between 1938 and 1941, recordings for Decca Records were made in seven recording sessions. In 1974 the Savoy Sultans were revived by swing drummer Panama Francis .
Discography (selection)
- Al Cooper's Savoy Sultans: 1938-1941 (Classics)
literature
- Richard Cook , Brian Morton : The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD . 6th edition. Penguin, London 2002, ISBN 0-14-051521-6 .