Biography
Shelton Hemphill established himself as a capable section trumpeter whose chances to solo remained limited throughout his career. He performed in multiple leading orchestras, starting with a 1924 tour behind Bessie Smith in Fred Longshaw’s band. After completing coursework at Wilberforce College, he joined Horace Henderson’s Collegians. His later tenures included Benny Carter between 1928 and 1929, Chick Webb from 1930 to 1931, the Mills Blue Rhythm Band from 1931 to 1937, Louis Armstrong’s Orchestra from 1937 to 1944, and Duke Ellington from 1944 to 1949. Once he left Ellington, the trumpeter—who never led a recording session under his own name—accepted occasional freelance engagements before poor health forced him to stop playing.