Annotation

History

This swing formation was founded by Chick Webb in the late 20s, from (and predating) the former Harlem Stoppers Webb's Quintet, and the Jungle Band.
During the early 30s, it was the Savoy Ballroom house band, and was dreaded as one of the Giants killer big band formation of the era (notably, the high-fly Goodman's orchestra was dwarfed during one of these Savoy "battles").
Integrating Ella Fitzgerald in its rank in 1935, the band enjoyed wide popularity and a few charts success, before Webb's dramatic death in 1939.
Ella Fitzgerald then lead the band for two more years under the name Ella Fitzgerald and Her Famous Orchestra, before going solo and splitting it up during the summer of 1941.
The band never really had stars in its rank (beside, of course, Ella Fitzgerald, and quick appearances of Benny Carter and Johnny Hodges) and its main strengths were its unity and Webb's amazing play.

A later Ella Fitzgerald release would "reunite" the former Webb Orchestra members during the 50s.

Listener Guide

The band discography nowadays is available in two parts, the first (prior 1939) being detailed in Chick Webb's page, the second obviously found under Ella Fitzgerald and Her Famous Orchestra, which modern editions tend to scatter into Ella Fitzgerald discography (in the numerous releases covering the early Decca days).

The reference for serious listeners is either the Classics' Chronological, or the Proper's boxset.

Additional Notes

The band was variously referred to as Chick Webb's Orchestra, Chick Webb and his Orchestra, Chick Webb's Band, Chick Webb and his Band, Chick Webb Savoy's Orchestra, etc.
There is absolutely no differences between these.

Annotation last modified on 2007-12-14 14:09 UTC.

Discography

Album + Compilation

YearTitleArtistRatingReleases
1960Ella and Chick Webb 1938/39, Vol. IIElla Fitzgerald - Chick Webb and His Orchestra1
1990The Chronological Classics: Chick Webb and His Orchestra 1929–1934Chick Webb and His Orchestra1
1990The Chronological Classics: Chick Webb and His Orchestra 1935-1938Chick Webb and His Orchestra2
2000Stomping at the SavoyChick Webb and His Orchestra feat. Ella Fitzgerald1
2002Stompin' at the SavoyChick Webb and His Orchestra1
2006Stomping at the SavoyChick Webb and His Orchestra1
Count Basie & His Orchestra 1937/Chick Webb & His Orchestra 1936Count Basie & His Orchestra & Chick Webb and His Orchestra1

Single

YearTitleArtistRatingReleases
1931Heebie Jeebie / Soft and SweetChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1931Moanin’ / I’m Left With the Blues in My HeartBlue Rhythm Boys / Chick Webb and His Orchestra1
1934On the Sunny Side of the Street / Blue MinorChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1934Blue Minor / Lonesome MomentsChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1934Don’t Be That Way / It’s Over Because We’re ThroughChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1934Heebie Jeebies / Blues in My HeartChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1934Rhythm Man / LonaChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1934True / If It Ain’t LoveChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1935I’ll Chase the Blues Away / Moonlight and MagnoliasChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1935I May Be Wrong / I’ll Chase the Blues AwayChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1935Love and Kisses / Are You Here to Stay?Chick Webb and His Orchestra1
1935Rhythm and Romance / Moonlight and MagnoliasChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1936A Little Bit Later On / Under the Spell of the BluesChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1936Crying My Heart Out for You / Down Home RagChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1936Go Harlem / Devoting My Time to YouChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1936I Got the Spring Fever Blues / What a ShuffleChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1936Sing Me a Swing Song / Facts and FiguresChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1936Swinging on the Reservation / Blue LouChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1936You’ll Have to Swing It / Vote for Mister RhythmChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1937Take Another Guess / When I Get Low I Get HighChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1937Rusty Hinge / Cryin’ MoodChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1937Just a Simple Melody / Holiday in HarlemChick Webb and His Orchestra feat. Ella Fitzgerald1
1937The Dipsy Doodle / Midnite in a MadhouseChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1937Gee! But You’re Swell / Love Marches OnChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1937Love Is the Thing So They Say / That Naughty WaltzChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1937Rock It for Me / Strictly JiveChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1937There’s Frost on the Moon / Love You’re Just a LaughChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1937Wake Up and Live / It’s Swell of YouChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1937You Showed Me the Way / Clap Hands! Here Comes CharlieChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1938A‐Tisket A‐Tasket / LizaChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1938F.D.R. Jones / I Love Each Move You MakeChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1938I Got a Guy / Harlem CongoChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1938If Dreams Come True / Squeeze MeChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1938I’m Just a Jitterbug / AzureChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1938I Found My Yellow Basket / EllaChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1938I Let a Tear Fall in the River / MacPherson Is Rehearsin'Chick Webb and His Orchestra1
1938Wacky Dust / Spinnin’ the WebbChick Webb and His Orchestra1
1939Undecided / In the Groove at the GroveChick Webb and His Orchestra1
When I Get Low I Get High / Fifty-Second StreetChick Webb and His Orchestra, Vocal Chorus By: Ella Fitzgerald / Andy Kirk and His Twelve Clouds of Joy1

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