Chick Webb (February 10, 1905 – June 16, 1939)

William Henry Webb, usually known as Chick Webb was an American jazz and swing music drummer as well as a band leader. In 1927, at the beginning of his career, he recorded a solitary unissued title for Vocalion. It was possibily a pickup group consisting of 7 musicians. In 1931, his band recorded 3 sides for Vocalion/Brunswick. In December 1933, he signed with Columbia and 14 sides were recorded through 1934, the last 4 appeared on Columbia's OKeh label. In September 1934 he signed with the new Decca label and through the remainder of his life recorded prolifically for Decca, many of his records were best sellers. Webb died on June 16, 1939, in Baltimore. Reportedly his last words were "I'm sorry, I've got to go." He was just 34 years old.Webb was buried just outside Baltimore, in Arbutus Memorial Park, in Arbutus, Maryland. Webb's death hit the jazz/swing community very hard. After his death, Ella Fitzgerald led the Chick Webb band, until she left to focus on her solo career in 1942.

Wikipedia | BUY: Chick Webb