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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 ZCALLENDER, Red(b George Callender, 6 March 1918, Richmond VA; d 8 March 1992, Saugus CA) Bass, tuba. He studied in New Jersey, played in Atlantic City while still in high school; went to California with Louis Armstrong (first recorded with him in 1937). Settled on West Coast, became pioneer studio man as well as jazz session player, sought after in both capacities. With King Cole trio, Lester Young, own trio early '40s; film New Orleans with Armstrong '46; trio in Hawaii late '40s (wrote a symphony there; it was performed but is now lost); R&B records under his own name; played with Art Tatum including trio, quartet LPs '56 (with long-time collaborator Bill Douglass on drums, b 28 February 1923, Los Angeles). He first appeared at Monterey Jazz Festival '59; his tune 'Primrose Lane' was no. 8 in pop chart that year (by Billy Wallace), later used as theme on Henry Fonda TV show; an earlier tune, 'Pastel', was recorded by Erroll Garner, Illinois Jacquet. He recorded with Ray Charles on tuba, with Charles Mingus at Monterey '64 on that instrument; with Stan Kenton '65; countless sessions included Billy May's Big Fat Brass '58, Earl Hines album Hits He Missed '78, plus albums with Art Pepper, Shorty Rogers, Bing Crosby, Carmen McRae, Plas Johnson, Mel Tormé, Pearl Bailey, Erroll Garner, Billy Eckstine, Buddy Collette, Ry Cooder: too many to list. His autobiography (with Elaine Cohen) Unfinished Dream '85 has a priceless description of the L.A. jazz scene of the late '40s-early '50s, otherwise poorly documented, and high praise for the band led by Lester and Lee Young. Callender was one of the first blacks in studio work and helped integrate musicians' unions in L.A.; also praises TV employers Jerry Fielding, Danny Kaye, Flip Wilson and others, especially the women: Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Dinah Shore, Doris Day, etc: they never forgot anybody who worked for them. He was active with the James Newton Wind Quintet: LP The Mystery School '80 on India Navigation with flautist/composer Newton, Bobby Bradford, John Carter, John Nunez on bassoon, Charles Owen on English horn and oboe; also Dauwhe '82 on Black Saint, by Carter's octet with similar personnel. Callender's own albums included Speaks Low and Swingin' Suite, both '57 on the Bihari Bros' Crown label, the former used in music schools for the tuba playing and later reissued on his own Red label, the latter a set of original tunes including 'Pastel'. Also The Lowest '58 on MGM; Basin Street Brass '73 on Legend; Red Callender--Gerald Wiggins '83 on Hemisphere was a set of duets with his old friend pianist Wig (b 12 May 1922, NYC; d 13 July 2008, Tarzana CA; his son, also Gerald Foster Wiggins, b 15 April 1956, Los Angeles, plays bass, joined Mercer Ellington '74). Callender was a lucky man and he knew it, but then you've got to be good at music to get Mingus to leave you a bass in his will. |