Chick Webb, born William Henry Webb on February 10, 1905, was an influential American jazz and swing music drummer and bandleader from the swing era. Despite being afflicted with tuberculosis of the spine, which left him with a short stature and a hunched back, Webb's growth into a virtuosic drummer was not impeded. In fact, his condition seemed to fuel a fiery energy and precision that became his trademark behind the kit. Chick Webb's career was largely based in New York City, where he led his band at the renowned Savoy Ballroom during the 1930s, which became one of the hotbeds for swing dancing.

The music of Chick Webb is a testament to his remarkable abilities as a drummer and bandleader. His orchestra was known for its swinging rhythms and competitive edge, often engaging in 'battle of the band' contests with other big names of the era. One of Chick Webb's most significant discoveries was the then-teenage Ella Fitzgerald, whose career he helped launch as she became the band's singer in 1935. Webb's recordings like "Harlem Congo" and "Stompin' at the Savoy" remain classic examples of the energy and creativity of the swing era. Although he passed away at the young age of 34 in 1939, Chick Webb's impact on the world of jazz and drumming has endured, making him a legend among musicians and music enthusiasts alike. His legacy is captured in compilations and tributes such as "The Chick Webb Saga" and "Chick Webb and His Savoy Ballroom Orchestra: The King of the Drums (1939)" that continue to celebrate his extraordinary talent and contribution to American music.

Genres

Big Band

Dixieland

Harlem Renaissance

Jazz Blues

Jazz Drums

Swing

Vintage Jazz

Related Artists

Count Basie

Duke Ellington

Benny Goodman

Louis Armstrong

Ella Fitzgerald

Cab Calloway

Fats Waller

Lionel Hampton

Artie Shaw

Glenn Miller

Jimmie Lunceford

Fletcher Henderson

Latest Release

The Ultimate Jazz Archive, Vol. IV [Audiophile Edition]

Chick Webb

Album - 20 Tracks - Released February 2, 2024