Donald Matthew "Don" Redman was an innovative figure in the landscape of American jazz music, widely recognized for his contributions as a composer, arranger, bandleader, and saxophonist. Born on July 29, 1900, in Piedmont, West Virginia, Redman grew up in a musical family, which facilitated his early exposure to a wide array of instruments. Redman's formal music education at Storer College and later at the Boston Conservatory laid the groundwork for a career that would blend remarkable skill with pioneering artistry.

Don Redman's ascendancy in the jazz world began in the 1920s when he joined the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra, and his arrangements were crucial in shaping the sound of big band jazz. Redman is frequently credited with formalizing the swing style that would dominate American music for years, implementing creative approaches to orchestration that emphasized call-and-response patterns between brass and reed sections—an innovation at the time. In the 1930s, he formed Don Redman and His Orchestra, with which he recorded a string of hits, showcasing his talents both as a bandleader and a composer. The ensemble gained attention for their intricate arrangements and tight musicianship. Albums like "Don Redman & His Orchestra" and "Master Of The Big Band" highlight the light swing and layered harmonies that were Redman's signatures. In later years, his work was celebrated through collections like "Jazz Masters: Don Redman," preserving his legacy as a pioneering architect of the big band sound that would come to define an era of jazz.