George Edward Stevenson 1906

Trombonista e sassofonista statunitense (Baltimora, Maryland, 20.6.1906 – New York, 21.9.1970). Studia il sassofono e il trombone con Albert Jack Thomas, la cui orchestra lo accoglie nel 1921. Entra, quattro anni dopo, nella formazione del pianista Harold Steptean, poi costituisce i Baltimore Melody Boys. A New York, lavora con Irwin Hughes (Arcadia Ballroom, 1930), H. Steptean, Norwood Fennan (1931), i Savoy Bearcats (1932), Charlie Johnson (1932), con il quale tornerà a più riprese, Jimmy Smith, Jack Butler (Hot Chocolate Revue, 1934), Fletcher Henderson (1935), Claude Hopkins (1936), Ovie Alston (1937), Hot Lips Page, Jack Carter (1938), Lucky Millinder (1939-43), Cootie Williams (1944), Roy Eldridge (1944-46) e Cat Anderson (1947). Si esibisce successivamente da free lance, con Tony Parenti, Chris Columbus, Don Redman, intraprende una tournée in Europa nell’orchestra di Sammy Price (1955-56). A New York, suona insieme a Jack Fine (1957), Redman, Rex Stewart, di nuovo Page, e dirige una propria formazione. Durante gli anni ’60, suona con il trombettista Joe Thomas, Lem Johnson e Max Kaminsky al Jimmy Ryan’s (1969).

Influenzato da Tricky Sam Nanton, Stevenson si esprime in uno stile vigoroso e quadrato. Eccelle soprattutto nel blues.

[A. To]

American trombonist and saxophonist (Baltimore, Maryland, 20.6.1906 - New York, 21.9.1970). He studied the saxophone and trombone with Albert Jack Thomas, whose orchestra welcomed him in 1921. He joined the pianist Harold Steptean four years later, then formed the Baltimore Melody Boys. In New York, he works with Irwin Hughes (Arcadia Ballroom, 1930), H. Steptean, Norwood Fennan (1931), the Savoy Bearcats (1932), Charlie Johnson (1932), with whom he will return on several occasions, Jimmy Smith, Jack Butler (Hot Chocolate Revue, 1934), Fletcher Henderson (1935), Claude Hopkins (1936), Ovie Alston (1937), Hot Lips Page, Jack Carter (1938), Lucky Millinder (1939-43), Cootie Williams (1944), Roy Eldridge (1944-46) and Cat Anderson (1947). He subsequently performs as a freelance, with Tony Parenti, Chris Columbus, Don Redman, embarks on a tour in Europe in the orchestra of Sammy Price (1955-56). In New York, he plays with Jack Fine (1957), Redman, Rex Stewart, again Page, and directs his training. During the 1960s, he played with trumpeter Joe Thomas, Lem Johnson, and Max Kaminsky at Jimmy Ryan's (1969).

Influenced by Tricky Sam Nanton, Stevenson expresses himself in a vigorous and square style. It excels above all in the blues.
​
[A. To]