Claude McLin
Encyclopedia
Claude McLin was a jazz
tenor saxophonist.
A graduate of DuSable High School
, he was in a "baby band" with Johnny Griffin
and Wilbur Campbell in the spring of 1944.
Returning from military service in 1946, he led a series of combos in Chicago. He often played the Pershing Ballroom in a battle-of-the-saxes format. His dueling partners included Gene Ammons
, Tom Archia
, Von Freeman
and, on several occasions, his idol Lester Young
. His own band featured pianist Wild Bill Davis
and drummer Eldridge "Bruz" Freeman in 1947 and 1948.
McLin's high visibility on the South Side club scene eventually led to recording opportunities with Aristocrat
and Chess
. A 1949 session was done with singer and pianist Laura Rucker while McLin's band was working at Leonard Chess
's Macomba Lounge. McLin went on to make three sessions under his own name in 1950 and 1951. His rendition of "Mona Lisa" (recorded July 1950) hit the charts, but "Tennessee Waltz" (from the second session, in November 1950) did not repeat its commercial success, and his third session was left unissued at the time. He also played on the legendary unreleased jazz session for Parkway under the leadership of Bennie Green
, and in October 1950 a live recording from the Pershing Ballroom found him subbing for Von Freeman
in the company of visiting headliner Charlie Parker
.
In 1952 McLin, who was having trouble finding enough engagements in Chicago to support his family, moved to Los Angeles, where for a decade his combos found steady work. He appeared on an Amos Milburn
session for Aladdin Records
in 1954, with Red Callender
on bass. In 1958 he recorded two singles for Golden Tone with the organ trio lineup that was then coming into fashion, and two blues for Dootsie Williams
' Dootone label in 1958. In 1960, he recorded a single for his own Mac-Jac label. There is also a second Claude McLin single on Mac-Jac, probably recorded three or four years later.
He also recorded at least five singles between 1960 and 1962 for a small label called Allegro.
McLin made his last recording session, for Dooto in 1964; as a sign that the times were changing, he recorded a pop ballad on one side and a piece of eccentric garage rock on the other. He retired from music in the late 1960s, when popular demand for jazz had reached a low point, and worked other jobs in the Los Angeles area for the rest of his life.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
tenor saxophonist.
A graduate of DuSable High School
DuSable High School
DuSable High School was a public high school in Chicago opened in the Bronzeville neighborhood in 1934. It was named after Chicago's first permanent non-native settler, Jean Baptiste Point du Sable. DuSable was built to accommodate the growing Phillips High School in the 1930s. The campus was...
, he was in a "baby band" with Johnny Griffin
Johnny Griffin
John Arnold Griffin III was an American bop and hard bop tenor saxophonist.- Early life and career :Griffin studied music at DuSable High School in Chicago under Walter Dyett, starting out on clarinet before moving on to oboe and then alto sax...
and Wilbur Campbell in the spring of 1944.
Returning from military service in 1946, he led a series of combos in Chicago. He often played the Pershing Ballroom in a battle-of-the-saxes format. His dueling partners included Gene Ammons
Gene Ammons
Eugene "Jug" Ammons also known as "The Boss," was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, and the son of boogie-woogie pianist Albert Ammons.-Biography:...
, Tom Archia
Tom Archia
Ernest Alvin Archia, Jr. , was a jazz tenor saxophonist. He took "Texas Tom" as his marquee name.Archia was born, in Groveton, Texas...
, Von Freeman
Von Freeman
Earle Lavon Freeman Sr. is an American hard bop jazz tenor saxophonist. He is the father of jazz saxophonist Chico Freeman.-Biography:...
and, on several occasions, his idol Lester Young
Lester Young
Lester Willis Young , nicknamed "Prez", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and clarinetist. He also played trumpet, violin, and drums....
. His own band featured pianist Wild Bill Davis
Wild Bill Davis
Wild Bill Davis was the stage name of American jazz pianist, organist, and arranger William Strethen Davis.Davis was born in Glasgow, Missouri...
and drummer Eldridge "Bruz" Freeman in 1947 and 1948.
McLin's high visibility on the South Side club scene eventually led to recording opportunities with Aristocrat
Aristocrat Records
Aristocrat Records, sometimes referred to The Aristocrat of Records, was founded in April 1947 by Charles and Evelyn Aron, together with their partners Fred and Mildred Brount and Art Spiegel. By September Leonard Chess had invested in the young record company. Over time, Leonard bought the others...
and Chess
Chess Records
Chess Records was an American record label based in Chicago, Illinois. It specialized in blues, R&B, soul, gospel music, early rock and roll, and occasional jazz releases....
. A 1949 session was done with singer and pianist Laura Rucker while McLin's band was working at Leonard Chess
Leonard Chess
Leonard Chess was a record company executive and the founder of Chess Records. He was influential in the development of electric blues.- Early life :...
's Macomba Lounge. McLin went on to make three sessions under his own name in 1950 and 1951. His rendition of "Mona Lisa" (recorded July 1950) hit the charts, but "Tennessee Waltz" (from the second session, in November 1950) did not repeat its commercial success, and his third session was left unissued at the time. He also played on the legendary unreleased jazz session for Parkway under the leadership of Bennie Green
Bennie Green
Bennie Green was an American jazz trombonist.Born in Chicago, Illinois, Green worked in the orchestras of Earl Hines and Charlie Ventura, and recorded as bandleader through the 1950s and 1960s.-As leader:...
, and in October 1950 a live recording from the Pershing Ballroom found him subbing for Von Freeman
Von Freeman
Earle Lavon Freeman Sr. is an American hard bop jazz tenor saxophonist. He is the father of jazz saxophonist Chico Freeman.-Biography:...
in the company of visiting headliner Charlie Parker
Charlie Parker
Charles Parker, Jr. , famously called Bird or Yardbird, was an American jazz saxophonist and composer....
.
In 1952 McLin, who was having trouble finding enough engagements in Chicago to support his family, moved to Los Angeles, where for a decade his combos found steady work. He appeared on an Amos Milburn
Amos Milburn
Amos Milburn was an African American rhythm and blues singer and pianist, popular during the 1940s and 1950s...
session for Aladdin Records
Aladdin Records
Aladdin Records was a post-World War II United States record label, with headquarters in Hollywood, California. The label was founded in 1945 by brothers Eddie, Leo, and Ira Mesner and was originally called Philo Records, before changing to its better-known name in April 1946.Aladdin Records...
in 1954, with Red Callender
Red Callender
Red Callender, , was a jazz bass and tuba player, famous for turning down a chance to work with Duke Ellington's Orchestra and the Louis Armstrong All-Stars....
on bass. In 1958 he recorded two singles for Golden Tone with the organ trio lineup that was then coming into fashion, and two blues for Dootsie Williams
Dootsie Williams
Dootsie Williams is an American record producer, and record label owner who released early records by Redd Foxx and The Penguins.-Career:Williams was a leader of the Harlem Dukes band in the 1940s. While performing at gigs, he came up with the idea to record other artists.In 1949, Williams founded...
' Dootone label in 1958. In 1960, he recorded a single for his own Mac-Jac label. There is also a second Claude McLin single on Mac-Jac, probably recorded three or four years later.
He also recorded at least five singles between 1960 and 1962 for a small label called Allegro.
McLin made his last recording session, for Dooto in 1964; as a sign that the times were changing, he recorded a pop ballad on one side and a piece of eccentric garage rock on the other. He retired from music in the late 1960s, when popular demand for jazz had reached a low point, and worked other jobs in the Los Angeles area for the rest of his life.