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by Charles Frazier (Illustrator), George T. Wein (Foreword by), Albert Vollmer (Editor)
What did Count Basie, Herschel Evans, Lester Young, Mary Lou Williams, The International Sweethearts of Rhythm, Glenn Miller, and Charlie Christian share in common? Their careers were massively impacted by the genius of Eddie Durham (1906-1987). The SWINGIN' THE BLUES book series chronicles the life, extensive musical contributions, and career of one of the world's most prolific and influential artists who was overlooked in the 20th Century, UNTIL NOW.
Raised as a Spanish-speaking cowboy in southern Texas by a Native American mother and African-American/Irish father, Eddie Durham's career began in the Southwest circuses. As a performer, he innovated a non-pressure technique on his trombone, amplified his guitar, built his amp, innovated a whammy bar using a hangar. He was first to record hits on amplified and electric guitar. He was a showman and a musician's musician who pioneered 6-part brass harmony in his compositions and arrangements, and who choreographed brass sections to add visual excitement to the performances. Eddie's charts spawned, and documents the swing era. He was the scouted "hit-maker" as a primary creative force in orchestras.The SWINGIN' THE BLUES compendium book series (4 volumes) is an authorized biography by Topsy M. Durham, the daughter of Eddie Durham (1906-1987), focusing on the musical careers of the Durham Brothers Orchestra, the only detailed chronicle of Eddie Durham and his entire musical family.
Volume 1: "The Virtuosity of Eddie Durham," and Volume 2: "Eddie Durham & The Ladies of Jazz," features the stunning book cover artwork by Chuck Frazier (Marvel Comics). His cover designs are as impressive as the content of the bios!Volume 2: "Eddie Durham & the Ladies of Jazz," Prepare to be captivated by the global spotlight and publicity that female orchestras received during the World War II era. This book unveils Eddie's monumental yet often overlooked contribution to their success, with dozens of stunning pictures.
Volume 1: "The Virtuosity of Eddie Durham (1900-1940)," immerses readers in the rich tapestry of his childhood and his remarkable musical career from 1906 to 1940. It features the debut of a discography of The Durham Brothers Orchestra. In 1927, they toured with the vaudeville extravaganza "Mamie Smith 7-11." Eddie recorded on banjo in 1929, just a few months after his iconic, historical recordings with Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra, an event that would resonate through musical history. During the 1930s, he performed on, choreographed, wrote, and arranged massive hits for artists Count Basie, Jimmie Lunceford, Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, including singers Billie Holiday, Helen Forrest, Helen Humes, June Richmond, Marion Hutton, Kay Starr, Myra Taylor. Eddie briefly mentored Mary Lou Williams and Charlie Christian.
Vol.4: "Eddie Durham with the Harlem Blues & Jazz Band 1977-1987" This volume unveils the magnificent decade-long detailed tour diary of Swedish band manager Albert Vollmer, featuring dozens of color photos and collages.
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2024: PBS Documentary "WHAM RE BOP BOOM BAM-The Swing Jazz of Eddie Durham," (USA only).
The mid-October Eddie Durham Festival is held in the Eddie Durham Park, San Marcos, Texas, USA 78667. See
EddieDurhamJazz.com Browser searches: #EddieDurham and #EddieDurhamPark X: @OfficialDurham
facebook.com/EddieDurhamJazz Youtube: @EddieDurhamJazz Soundcloud
