Paul Bascomb
Encyclopedia
Paul Bascomb was an American jazz
tenor saxophonist, noted for his extended tenure with Erskine Hawkins
. He is a 1979 inductee of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
.
Bascomb was a founding member of the Bama State Collegians
, which was led by Erskine Hawkins and eventually became his big band
. Bascomb's brother Dud
played in this ensemble as well. Bascomb remained in this ensemble until 1944, aside from a brief interval in 1938-39 where he played in Count Basie
's orchestra after Herschel Evans
's death. From 1944 to 1947 he and Dud co-led a septet which evolved into a big band. He recorded for States Records
in 1952; these sides were reissued by Delmark Records
in the 1970s. From 1953 to 1955 he recorded for Parrot
. He was active as a performer nearly up until the time of his death.
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, noted for his extended tenure with Erskine Hawkins
Erskine Hawkins
Erskine Ramsay Hawkins was an American trumpet player and big band leader from Birmingham, Alabama, dubbed "The 20th Century Gabriel". He is most remembered for composing the jazz standard "Tuxedo Junction" with saxophonist and arranger Bill Johnson...
. He is a 1979 inductee of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame was founded in 1978, and opened a museum on September 18, 1993, with a mission "to foster, encourage, educate, and cultivate a general appreciation of the medium of jazz music as a legitimate, original and distinctive art form indigenous to America...
.
Bascomb was a founding member of the Bama State Collegians
Bama State Collegians
The Bama State Collegians is a student jazz orchestra made up of students at Alabama State University. This group, founded in the 1930s, has been directed by a number of notable musicians, including Tommy Stewart and Erskine Hawkins....
, which was led by Erskine Hawkins and eventually became his big band
Big band
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
. Bascomb's brother Dud
Dud Bascomb
Wilbur Odell "Dud" Bascomb was an American jazz trumpeter best known for his tenure with Erskine Hawkins. He is a 1979 inductee of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame....
played in this ensemble as well. Bascomb remained in this ensemble until 1944, aside from a brief interval in 1938-39 where he played in Count Basie
Count Basie
William "Count" Basie was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. Basie led his jazz orchestra almost continuously for nearly 50 years...
's orchestra after Herschel Evans
Herschel Evans
Herschel "Tex" Evans , was a tenor saxophonist who worked in the Count Basie Orchestra. He had also worked with Lionel Hampton and Buck Clayton...
's death. From 1944 to 1947 he and Dud co-led a septet which evolved into a big band. He recorded for States Records
States Records
States Record Company was a Chicago-based record label. A subsidiary of United Records, it was in business from May 1952 to December 1957. States focused on rhythm and blues, jazz, and gospel....
in 1952; these sides were reissued by Delmark Records
Delmark Records
Delmark Records is an independent American jazz and blues record label, based in Chicago since 1958. The label originated in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1953 when owner Bob Koester released a recording of the Windy City Six, a traditional jazz group, under the "Delmar" imprint.-History:Born in 1932 in...
in the 1970s. From 1953 to 1955 he recorded for Parrot
Parrot Records (blues label)
Parrot Records was a Chicago-based label founded in 1952 by disc jockey Al Benson. It specialized in blues, jazz, doo-wop, and gospel. The company began operating in earnest in the summer of 1953, and lasted till the middle of 1956. Several Parrot recordings were later released by Chess...
. He was active as a performer nearly up until the time of his death.