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McKinney's Cotton Pickers

McKinney's Cotton Pickers were a prominent jazz band in the United States during the late 1920s and early 1930s. Formed in Detroit, Michigan, by drummer William McKinney, the Cotton Pickers became one of the leading orchestras of the dance-band jazz era, along with other groups like Fletcher Henderson's and Duke Ellington's orchestras. Their sound was characterized by tight ensemble work and imaginative arrangements, predominantly orchestrated by the gifted arranger and reedman Don Redman who became the group’s musical director in 1927.

McKinney's Cotton Pickers recorded several hits and were known for their swinging rhythm section and spirited brass and reed sections. Their roster featured some of the era's most talented musicians, including the famed trumpeter Rex Stewart and the virtuosic reedman Benny Carter. With an extensive discography that has been celebrated and re-released across several compilations and remastered collections, such as "The Pickers Return!," "Jazz Foundations Vol. 54," and "The Ultimate Jazz Archive 4 (1 Of 4)," McKinney's Cotton Pickers have earned their place in the annals of jazz history. Although the band eventually disbanded in the early 1930s due to the Great Depression and changing tastes in music, the legacy of their innovative jazz arrangements and high-energy performances live on in their recordings, influencing generations of jazz musicians and enthusiasts.

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