Hilton Jefferson

Hilton Jefferson (July 30, 1903 – November 14, 1968) was an American jazz alto saxophonist born in Danbury, Connecticut, United States, perhaps best known for leading the saxophone section from 1940–1949 in the Cab Calloway band. Jefferson is said to have been "a soft, delicate saxophone player, with an exquisite sensibility." In 1929, Jefferson began his professional career with Claude Hopkins, and throughout the 1930s was busy working for the big bands of Chick Webb, Fletcher Henderson and McKinney's Cotton Pickers. From 1952–1953, Jefferson performed with Duke Ellington, but ultimately became a bank guard to support himself with a steady income. In the 1950s, he continued to perform, especially with Rex Stewart and some former members of Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra.

Birth and Death Data: Born July 30, 1903 (Danbury), Died November 14, 1968 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1929 - 1958

Roles Represented in DAHR: alto saxophone, clarinet, tenor saxophone

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 76-100 of 141 records)

Company	Matrix No.	Size	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Role
Decca	64576	10-in.	10/6/1938	I found my yellow basket	Chick Webb Orchestra	instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet
Decca	65039	10-in.	2/17/1939	Undecided	Chick Webb Orchestra	instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet
Decca	65040	10-in.	2/17/1939	T'ain't what you do	Chick Webb Orchestra	instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet
Decca	65041	10-in.	2/17/1939	In the groove at the Grove	Chick Webb Orchestra	instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet
Decca	65042	10-in.	2/17/1939	One side of me	Chick Webb Orchestra	instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet
Decca	65043	10-in.	2/17/1939	My heart belongs to Daddy	Chick Webb Orchestra	instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet
Decca	65092	10-in.	3/2/1939	Once is enough for me	Ella Fitzgerald and her Savoy Eight	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Decca	65093	10-in.	3/2/1939	I had to live and learn	Ella Fitzgerald and her Savoy Eight	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Decca	65094	10-in.	3/2/1939	Sugar pie	Chick Webb Orchestra	instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet
Decca	65095	10-in.	3/2/1939	It's slumbertime along the Swanee	Chick Webb Orchestra	instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet
Decca	65096	10-in.	3/2/1939	I'm up a tree	Chick Webb Orchestra	instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet
Decca	65097	10-in.	3/2/1939	Chew-chew-chew (Your bubble gum)	Chick Webb Orchestra	instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet
Decca	65441	10-in.	4/21/1939	Don't worry 'bout me	Ella Fitzgerald and her Savoy Eight	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Decca	65442	10-in.	4/21/1939	If anything happened to you	Ella Fitzgerald and her Savoy Eight	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Decca	65443	10-in.	4/21/1939	If that's what you're thinking	Ella Fitzgerald and her Savoy Eight	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Decca	65444	10-in.	4/21/1939	If you ever change your mind	Ella Fitzgerald and her Savoy Eight	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Decca	65445	10-in.	4/21/1939	Have mercy	Chick Webb Orchestra	instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet
Decca	65446	10-in.	4/21/1939	Little white lies	Chick Webb Orchestra	instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet
Decca	65447	10-in.	4/21/1939	Coochi-coochi-coo	Chick Webb Orchestra	instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet
Decca	65448	10-in.	4/21/1939	That was my heart	Chick Webb Orchestra	instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet
Decca	65903	10-in.	6/29/1939	Betcha nickel	Ella Fitzgerald	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Decca	65904	10-in.	6/29/1939	Stairway to the stars	Ella Fitzgerald	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Decca	65905	10-in.	6/29/1939	I want the waiter (with the water)	Ella Fitzgerald	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Decca	65906	10-in.	6/29/1939	That's all, brother	Ella Fitzgerald	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Decca	65907	10-in.	6/29/1939	Out of nowhere	Ella Fitzgerald	instrumentalist, alto saxophone

(Results 76-100 of 141 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Jefferson, Hilton," accessed November 18, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/109150.

Jefferson, Hilton. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 18, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/109150.

"Jefferson, Hilton." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 18 November 2024.

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