Chu Berry

Among tenor saxophonists active during the 1930s, Chu Berry ranked just behind Coleman Hawkins—his principal influence—alongside Lester Young and Ben Webster. He displayed particular command on brisk numbers, even though his readings of ballads occasionally slipped into excess sentimentality, and might well have exerted greater influence had his life not ended early. Having begun on alto while in college, he adopted the tenor in 1929 upon entering Sammy Stewart’s ensemble. He relocated to New York in 1930, performing there with Benny Carter’s group and Charlie Johnson’s orchestra. Spike Hughes featured him prominently during the 1933 recording dates, after which Berry became a standout soloist with Teddy Hill’s band from 1933 to 1935 and then with Fletcher Henderson in 1936, contributing the tune “Christopher Columbus” to the latter’s book. In 1937 he settled permanently with Cab Calloway. Numerous sessions drew on his presence, among them dates alongside his close associate Roy Eldridge, a classic “Sweethearts on Parade” with Lionel Hampton, further work with Teddy Wilson, and Calloway recordings whose treatment of “Ghost of a Chance” gained wide recognition; he also headed a pair of his own well-regarded sessions. Chu Berry succumbed at age 31 to injuries sustained in an automobile accident.