Henry Hicks

Trombonist Henry Hicks stood apart from the usual preferences of jazz musicians, who generally leaned toward hipster identities rather than rural ones, since his surname left him no option when names were called. In the era of jazz commentary shaped by Ken Burns’ documentary, Hicks would rank as thoroughly sophisticated on the strength of his roles in celebrated 1920s groups such as the Musical Stevedores, the Jungle Town Stompers, Jasper Davis’ Orchestra, and Edgar Hayes’ Blue Grass Buddies. The last ensemble’s name should not suggest any link to country music, because the unit was active in 1924, well before “bluegrass” described that style, and Hicks remained a jazz player throughout.

At the same time he was enrolled at Wilberforce College in Birmingham, Alabama, the city that lists him among its many musically gifted sons. From 1925 onward he performed with Horace Henderson’s Collegians through 1928, then served as a sideman with Benny Carter and Bingie Madison. His work with Carroll Dickerson’s Savoy Orchestra during those years produced the largest share of his discography once Louis Armstrong took over the band for a series of recording sessions. Hicks’ membership in the Mills Blue Rhythm Band during the first half of the 1930s constituted his final prominent position. He bears no relation to trumpeter Billy Hicks or pianist John Hicks.