McKinney's Cotton Pickers
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McKinney's Cotton Pickers were a United States jazz band founded in Detroit in 1926 by William McKinney, who expanded his Synco Septet to ten pieces. In 1927 Don Redman left Fletcher Henderson's orchestra to become the Cotton Pickers' musical director, and he assembled a band which rivalled Henderson's and Duke Ellington's.[citation needed] Aiding Redman with arrangements and rehearsals with the band was the talented trumpeter-arranger John Nesbitt. Between 1927 and 1931, they were one of the most popular African-American bands. Many of their records for Victor were best sellers.
In 1931 Redman left to form his own band and was replaced by Benny Carter. The Cotton Pickers disbanded in 1934, unable to make money during the Depression. Manager of the band was Jean Goldkette.
McKinney's Cotton Pickers' performance of "Milenberg Joys" was used as the theme tune of Robert Parker's 1980s radio series "Jazz Classics in Digital Stereo".
[edit] External links
- McKinney's Cotton Pickers discography.
- http://www.redhotjazz.com/cottoninfo.html McKinney's Cotton Pickers - (Photo)]
Categories: All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements since October 2007 | Musical groups established in 1926 | 1920s music groups | 1930s music groups | American jazz ensembles | Big bands | Swing ensembles | Classic jazz ensembles | United States jazz musical group stubs
