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Russell Procope

January 01, 1970

Russell Keith Procope (August 11, 1908 – January 21, 1981)[1] was an American clarinetist and alto saxophonist who was a member of the Duke Ellington orchestra.

Russell Procope
Russell Procope
Background information
Born(1908-08-11)August 11, 1908
New York City, U.S.
DiedJanuary 21, 1981(1981-01-21) (aged 72)
New York City, U.S.
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Clarinet, saxophone

Before Ellington edit

Procope was born in New York City, United States,[1] and grew up in San Juan Hill, where he attended school with Benny Carter. His first instrument was the violin, but he switched to clarinet and alto saxophone.[1] He began his professional career in 1926 as a member of Billy Freeman's orchestra. He recorded with Jelly Roll Morton at the age of 20,[1] and played with bands led by Benny Carter, Chick Webb (1929–30), Fletcher Henderson (spring of 1931 to 1934), Tiny Bradshaw, Teddy Hill, King Oliver, and Willie Bryant.[1]

Fletcher Henderson's band dissolved in 1934. Along with several other ex-Henderson musicians, Procope joined Benny Carter's orchestra. He also worked for a time with the Tiny Bradshaw and Willie Bryant bands before joining Teddy Hill in 1935.[1] During his stay with Teddy Hill's orchestra the trumpet section included, at various times, Roy Eldridge, Bill Coleman, Frankie Newton, and Dizzy Gillespie, while trombonist Dickie Wells and tenor-saxophonist Chu Berry were two other soloists who played with the band. It was as a member of this orchestra that Russell Procope made his first trip to Europe in 1937; Teddy Hill's band formed part of The Cotton Club Revue, an all-African American show, which during its European tour appeared at the London Palladium.

In 1938, Procope replaced Pete Brown in John Kirby's sextet, with whom he played exclusively alto sax until 1945 (with an interruption for World War II). It was with Kirby that he began to make his name. Kirby's band included Charlie Shavers (trumpet), Buster Bailey (clarinet), Procope (alto-sax), Billy Kyle (piano) and O'Neil Spencer (drums). This group was billed as "The Biggest Little Band In The World" - performing intricate, tightly-woven small-band orchestrations, combining precision with relaxation and a high standard of solo playing.

From September 1943 until the end of World War II, Procope served in the United States Army. He was a private with the 372nd Infantry Regiment band.[2]

Ellington and afterwards edit

Procope joined the Ellington orchestra in 1946,[1] standing in for Otto Hardwick for one night in Worcester, Massachusetts, and staying until Ellington died in 1974.[1] Procope came to Europe again as a member of this band during the summer of 1950. Like all members of the Ellington reed section except for alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges and tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves, Procope doubled on the clarinet, and it was on that instrument that he made his reputation.[1] Though he was a fine saxophonist who could (and did) play tenor as well as alto saxophone with authority, Procope was most highly regarded for his woody, understated clarinet solos, a warm contrast to fellow reed section member Jimmy Hamilton's cheerful, breezy style. (A hearing of the contrast between the two clarinetists can be heard on Ellington's three-part suite "Idiom '59"; Ellington handed Procope the solo for the slower tempoed opening part, before handing Hamilton the first clarinet solo and the bridge blues solo on the more swinging second part.) Procope was also highly regarded personally within and outside the Ellington band. "He was", wrote Ellington in Music is My Mistress, "an utterly sober and reliable musician, always to be depended upon." After Ellington's death, Procope toured with Brooks Kerr's trio.

In 1956, Procope recorded The Persuasive Sax of Russ Procope under the London Records label. Procope played the alto-saxophone, along with Remo Biondi (rhythm guitar), Earl Backus (solo guitar), Paul Jordan (piano) Mel Schmidt (bass), and Frank Rullo (drums). Although Procope's early playing reflected the influence of Benny Carter, he had evolved a highly individual style. It combined an essentially lyrical approach with a forceful, swinging attack.

Discography edit

With the Duke Ellington Orchestra

With Dizzy Gillespie

With Johnny Hodges

With Billy Strayhorn

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 2007. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  2. ^ "Billy Rowe's Note Book", The Pittsburgh Courier, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, volume XXXIV, number 48, November 27, 1943, page 19. (subscription required)

Sources edit

January 01, 1970
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This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations October 2021 Learn how and when to remove this template message Russell Keith Procope August 11 1908 January 21 1981 1 was an American clarinetist and alto saxophonist who was a member of the Duke Ellington orchestra Russell ProcopeRussell ProcopeBackground informationBorn 1908 08 11 August 11 1908New York City U S DiedJanuary 21 1981 1981 01 21 aged 72 New York City U S GenresJazzOccupation s MusicianInstrument s Clarinet saxophone Contents 1 Before Ellington 2 Ellington and afterwards 3 Discography 4 References 5 SourcesBefore Ellington editProcope was born in New York City United States 1 and grew up in San Juan Hill where he attended school with Benny Carter His first instrument was the violin but he switched to clarinet and alto saxophone 1 He began his professional career in 1926 as a member of Billy Freeman s orchestra He recorded with Jelly Roll Morton at the age of 20 1 and played with bands led by Benny Carter Chick Webb 1929 30 Fletcher Henderson spring of 1931 to 1934 Tiny Bradshaw Teddy Hill King Oliver and Willie Bryant 1 Fletcher Henderson s band dissolved in 1934 Along with several other ex Henderson musicians Procope joined Benny Carter s orchestra He also worked for a time with the Tiny Bradshaw and Willie Bryant bands before joining Teddy Hill in 1935 1 During his stay with Teddy Hill s orchestra the trumpet section included at various times Roy Eldridge Bill Coleman Frankie Newton and Dizzy Gillespie while trombonist Dickie Wells and tenor saxophonist Chu Berry were two other soloists who played with the band It was as a member of this orchestra that Russell Procope made his first trip to Europe in 1937 Teddy Hill s band formed part of The Cotton Club Revue an all African American show which during its European tour appeared at the London Palladium In 1938 Procope replaced Pete Brown in John Kirby s sextet with whom he played exclusively alto sax until 1945 with an interruption for World War II It was with Kirby that he began to make his name Kirby s band included Charlie Shavers trumpet Buster Bailey clarinet Procope alto sax Billy Kyle piano and O Neil Spencer drums This group was billed as The Biggest Little Band In The World performing intricate tightly woven small band orchestrations combining precision with relaxation and a high standard of solo playing From September 1943 until the end of World War II Procope served in the United States Army He was a private with the 372nd Infantry Regiment band 2 Ellington and afterwards editProcope joined the Ellington orchestra in 1946 1 standing in for Otto Hardwick for one night in Worcester Massachusetts and staying until Ellington died in 1974 1 Procope came to Europe again as a member of this band during the summer of 1950 Like all members of the Ellington reed section except for alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges and tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves Procope doubled on the clarinet and it was on that instrument that he made his reputation 1 Though he was a fine saxophonist who could and did play tenor as well as alto saxophone with authority Procope was most highly regarded for his woody understated clarinet solos a warm contrast to fellow reed section member Jimmy Hamilton s cheerful breezy style A hearing of the contrast between the two clarinetists can be heard on Ellington s three part suite Idiom 59 Ellington handed Procope the solo for the slower tempoed opening part before handing Hamilton the first clarinet solo and the bridge blues solo on the more swinging second part Procope was also highly regarded personally within and outside the Ellington band He was wrote Ellington in Music is My Mistress an utterly sober and reliable musician always to be depended upon After Ellington s death Procope toured with Brooks Kerr s trio In 1956 Procope recorded The Persuasive Sax of Russ Procope under the London Records label Procope played the alto saxophone along with Remo Biondi rhythm guitar Earl Backus solo guitar Paul Jordan piano Mel Schmidt bass and Frank Rullo drums Although Procope s early playing reflected the influence of Benny Carter he had evolved a highly individual style It combined an essentially lyrical approach with a forceful swinging attack Discography editWith the Duke Ellington Orchestra Masterpieces by Ellington Columbia 1951 Ellington Uptown Columbia 1952 Live At The Crystal Gardens 1952 Hep 2011 Duke Ellington Presents Bethlehem 1956 Blue Rose Columbia 1956 with Rosemary Clooney Historically Speaking A Drum Is a Woman Columbia 1956 Ellington at Newport Columbia 1956 Duke Ellington and the Buck Clayton All Stars at Newport Columbia 1956 Such Sweet Thunder Columbia 1957 All Star Road Band Doctor Jazz 1957 1983 Ellington Indigos Columbia 1957 Black Brown and Beige Columbia 1958 Newport 1958 Columbia 1958 Live at the Blue Note Roulette 1959 Festival Session Columbia 1959 Blues in Orbit Columbia 1959 Anatomy of a Murder Columbia 1959 Jazz Party Columbia 1959 Piano in the Background Columbia 1960 Hot Summer Dance Red Baron 1960 1991 First Time The Count Meets the Duke Columbia 1962 with the Count Basie Orchestra The Nutcracker Suite Swinging Suites by Edward E and Edward G Columbia 1960 All American in Jazz Columbia 1962 Midnight in Paris Columbia 1962 Afro Bossa Reprise 1963 Will Big Band Ever Come Back Reprise 1962 1963 1965 All Star Road Band Volume 2 Doctor Jazz 1964 1985 Harlem Pablo 1964 1985 Duke Ellington Plays Mary Poppins Reprise 1964 1965 Ellington 65 Reprise 1964 Ella at Duke s Place Verve 1965 Ellington 66 Reprise 1965 Concert in the Virgin Islands Reprise 1965 In the Uncommon Market Pablo 1963 1966 1986 Ella and Duke at the Cote D Azur Verve 1966 The Far East Suite RCA 1966 Live in Italy 1967 And His Mother Called Him Bill RCA 1967 1968 Yale Concert Fantasy 1968 1973 Francis A amp Edward K Reprise 1967 1968 with Frank Sinatra Second Sacred Concert Prestige 1968 Liederhalle Stuttgart 1967 SWR Jazzhaus 2020 Live At The Opernhaus Cologne 1969 Delta Music 2016 70th Birthday Concert Solid State 1969 1970 Latin American Suite Fantasy 1968 1970 1972 New Orleans Suite Atlantic 1970 The Intimate Ellington Pablo 1969 1971 1977 The Afro Eurasian Eclipse Fantasy 1971 1975 Togo Brava Suite United Artists 1971 Duke Ellington in Sweden 1973 Caprice 1973 1999 The Ellington Suites Fantasy 1958 72 1976 With Dizzy Gillespie The Complete RCA Victor Recordings Bluebird 1937 1949 1995 With Johnny Hodges Ellingtonia 56 Norgran 1956 With Billy Strayhorn Cue for Saxophone Felsted 1959 References edit a b c d e f g h i Colin Larkin ed 1992 The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music First ed Guinness Publishing p 2007 ISBN 0 85112 939 0 Billy Rowe s Note Book The Pittsburgh Courier Pittsburgh Pennsylvania volume XXXIV number 48 November 27 1943 page 19 subscription required Sources editJazz the Rough Guide 2nd edition The Rough Guides 2000 ISBN 1 85828 528 3 Russell Procope by Scott Yanow for Allmusic Russell Procope recordings at the Discography of American Historical Recordings Liner notes from The Persuasive Sax of Russ Procope London Records HA D2013 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Russell Procope amp oldid 1105341455, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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