Every academic jazz department in the world needs to set aside at least one day to ask themselves this question:
How do we correct the huge injustice of Eddie Durham not being recognized as a jazz giant on the same level of Duke Ellington?
Durham was the “secret sauce” behind many iconic jazz bands and musicians. Take him out of the picture and jazz might not have flowered the way it did.
Yes, he was that important and it’s time he gets his due.
Forward this page to your favorite jazz opinion leaders.
Whose careers were nourished by Eddie Durham’s genius?
How about these for starters?
The Oklahoma City Blue Devils, Benny Moten, Jimmie Lunceford, Count Basie, Charlie Christian, Lester Young, Glenn Miller – and this is just the short list!
Also, click here for an in depth interview with Ken McCarthy and Topsy Durham.
– Ken McCarthy
Jazz on the Tube
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