Born Robert Roland Chudnick, Red Rodney began his career as a musician at the age of 15, working for bandleaders Jerry Wald, Jimmy Dorsey, Georgie Auld, Elliott Lawrence, Benny Goodman, and Les Brown.
Inspired by Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker, Rodney changed his style to bebop, and went on to play with Claude Thornhill, Gene Krupa, and Woody Herman.
In 1949 he joined Charlie Parker and his quintet - as the only white member of the group, he was often billed as Albino Red when playing still segregated southern states. In 1950 he joined the Charlie Ventura band and recorded several successful albums.
During the 60's and 70's, Rodney left the jazz scene. After finally overcoming his drug habit in the 70's, he returned to jazz, recording with multi-instrumentalist Ira Sullivan.
In the 1990's he performed with The Rolling Stones' drummer Charlie Watts and showcased young saxophonist Chris Potter, who was a regular member of his working group and only 19 years old when Rodney recorded "Red Alert" in late 1990.
Video: Red Rodney on trumpet, Gary Dial on piano, Greg Hutchinson on drums, Jay Anderson on bass, and Dick Oatts on tenor sax.
