Biography
Tyree Glenn brought an uncommon pairing of trombone and vibraphone to ensembles led at different points by Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong, where his contributions proved consistently valuable. His professional path began in Virginia territory bands before he relocated to the West Coast and joined outfits directed by Charlie Echols in 1936 and Eddie Barefield. Subsequent engagements with Ethel Waters and Benny Carter preceded a lengthy tenure in the Cab Calloway Orchestra from 1939 to 1946. In 1946 he crossed the Atlantic alongside Don Redman’s large ensemble. While with Ellington between 1947 and 1951, Glenn delivered authoritative wah-wah trombone work in the manner of Tricky Sam Nanton, served as the sole vibraphonist in the band, and received prominent exposure on the “Liberian Suite.” Throughout the 1950s he balanced studio sessions, leadership of a quartet at the Embers, and freelance work in both swing and Dixieland contexts. Apart from a handful of European appearances in 1947, his most substantial recording activity occurred with Roulette across 1957–1958 and 1961–1962. From 1965 to 1968 he traveled globally as a member of Louis Armstrong’s All-Stars. Once that association ended, Tyree Glenn directed his own ensemble for the remainder of his career.
Albums
