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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZPAGE, Oran 'Hot Lips'(b Oran Thaddeus Page, 27 Jan. '08, Dallas TX; d 4 Nov. '54, NYC) Trumpet, bandleader, vocalist. Began on reeds, switched to trumpet at age twelve; worked in oil fields in Texas; in band accompanying Bessie Smith, Ida Cox on black vaudeville circuit, worked with Troy Floyd, other territory bands; joined Walter Page's Blue Devils, then Bennie Moten; led own quintet in Kansas City '35, played with Count Basie at the Reno Club just before Basie went to NYC and became famous, but manager Joe Glaser took over, hoping to make another star like Louis Armstrong out of him. Led own big band and recorded for Decca and Bluebird '38--40 (instrumental version of 'I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart' was a hit '38); worked for Artie Shaw '41--2 (sang and played on 'Blues In The Night'); later led big bands for special gigs, more often small groups. Successful duet with Pearl Bailey 'The Hucklebuck'/'Baby It's Cold Outside' '49. He might have been better off staying with Basie and did not make a fortune for Glaser, but he was a fine musician and a much-loved entertainer. His Commodore tracks are worth looking out for, and there was a Trumpet Battle At Minton's '41 with Joe Guy on Xanadu. |