Envision Equity February 2019 Special Black History Month Edition

Envision Equity February 2019
Chick Webb
William Henry Webb (Chick Webb) was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1909. Afflicted at birth with spinal
tuberculosis which left him in poor health for his entire life, Chick was a small, hunchback of a man who
possessed an “unconquerable spirit” and an astounding musical talent. For many jazz fans, Chick remains
arguably the greatest jazz drummer to have ever played the instrument. Yet it was only by a quirk of fate
that Chick even came to play the drums.
The idea of playing the instrument was suggested to him by his doctor as a way to “loosen
stiffened limbs. By saving money earned through delivering
papers, Chick soon secured a drum set. And by the age of
seventeen, Chick was playing in New York nights clubs such
as the Black Bottom and the Paddock Club. These early jobs
were secured for him through the efforts of Duke Ellington who
instantly recognized Chick’s talent. It was Ellington who
encouraged Chick to form a quintet aptly called the
“Harlem Stoppers.” The name was probably derived
from Chick’s own hard driving style on the drums as the
quintet’s leader. Later, this quintet would evolve into one of the
most feared “swing” bands in New York—The Chick Webb
Orchestra.
Chick Webb’s already mythical reputation was given even greater
stature when he replaced his longtime vocalist Charles Linton with
a then relatively unknown singer by the name of Ella Fitzgerald.
Jazz legend has it that Ella “snuck” into Chick Webb’s dressing
room in order to convince him to take her into his bed. But
legends notwithstanding, Ella did become Chick’s lead vocalist.
And Ella, called adoringly by fans and musicians, “The First Lady
of Swing,” always acknowledged Chick Webb as her “first and foremost”
influence.
up” his
Together, Chick and Ella, would electrify the Swing era of jazz with hits such
as "A-Tisket a Tasket," which was composed by Ella to cheer Chick up while
he was ill. And while this and other great tunes recorded by these artists are wellknown,
Chick’s early work—some say his most impressive solos—was regrettably
poorly
captured by recording technology ill suited for Chick’s immense talent. But one of Chick’s hit tunes “Stompin’ at
the Savoy” gives contemporary jazz fans some hint of the power of Chick Webb and his Orchestra.
In 1938, Chick Webb’s health began to fail him. This was mostly due to Chick’s chronic spinal condition and his
insistence that he and his orchestra would only perform at the height of their talents for their fans. Often it was
said that Chick played with such power that he was physically exhausted when he left the bandstand.
In 1939, Chick returned to Baltimore for a major operation. Shortly afterwards, the little giant died on June 16,
1939 with his mother at his side. Chick’s funeral procession was said to have been composed of some eighty cars
and the church where he was eulogized was said to be unable to hold all the mourners.