Pianist, trombonist, composer and conductor for six decades; born in Charleston, attended Burke High School, and lived in a neighborhood of Charlston known as “Back the Green”; his father, Edward Smalls, a Charleston carpenter and musician, taught Smalls classical music at a young age…
A native of Charleston; began playing at age 10 as a member of the Jenkins Orphanage Band; as early as age 15, Simmons was gigging in Charleston with the Night Hawks – later, he left Charleston for New York City and landed a job with Fats Waller’s combo…
Swing guitarist and one of the early electric guitarists; born in Union, SC and raised in Cleveland where he was taught guitar by his father; he joined J. Frank Terry and Hal Draper in Cincinnati (1934-36), formed his own quartet and trio…
Born in Charleston; entered Jenkins Orphanage in 1932 and played trumpet with the bands in the late 1930s through early 1940s…
Bandleader, arranger and pianist; born in Columbia, SC, Russell first studied drums and later the bass, and played with a local band at age 7; he toured the country with the Hartley Toots Band (1933-1939) then formed his own band (1939-50) with Fats Navarro…
Native of Charleston, SC; trombonist; graduated with honors from the Charleston County School of the Arts in 2006…
Born in Spartanburg, SC and the brother of saxophonist, Red Prysock; he moved to Hartford, CT as a teenager where he sang in several small bands; as a singer (baritone), his breakthrough came in 1964…
Born in Florence, SC; tenor saxophonist, producer and recording artist who began studies on the piano; studied at South Carolina State College (now South Carolina State University) where he was inducted into the University’s Hall of Fame in 1999…
Born in Jacksonville, FL; resident of the Jenkins Orphanage from 1921-1926; lead trumpeter; worked with Bubber Applewhite and his Florida Troubadours…
Born in Orangeburg, SC and graduated with a degree in music from Claflin University; worked as a band director|music teacher South Carolina (Bamberg and Clarendon counties) for 24 years…
