This Week in Jazz History: July 15 to July 21

July 15

• Harlan Leonard’s Big Band records Tadd Dameron’s “A-La-Bridges,” 1940.
• Drummer Philly Joe Jones born 1923 in Philadelphia, PA.
• First Newport Jazz Festival opens, 1954.

July 16

• Drummer Bobby Previte born 1957 in Niagara Falls, NY.
• Saxophonist/bass clarinetist/flutist Eric Dolphy and trumpeter Booker Little record at the Five Spot, 1961.
• Vibraphonist Cal Tjader born 1925 in St. Louis, MO.

July 17

• Drummer Joe Morello born 1928 in Springfield, MA.
• Drummer Ben Riley born 1933 in Savannah, GA.
• Creole Pianist/composer Jelly Roll Morton records with The New Orleans Rhythm Kings, 1923, one of the very first integrated recording sessions.

July 18

• Trombonist Carl Fontana born 1928 in Monroe, LA.
• Charles Mingus records Tijuana Moods, 1957.
• Trumpeter Erskine Hawkins’ Big Band records “Tuxedo Junction,” 1939.

July 19

• Clarinetist Buster Bailey born 1902 in Memphis, TN.
• Trumpeter Bobby Bradford born 1934 in Cleveland, MS.
• Bud Freeman and his Summa Cum Laude Orchestra record “The Eel,” 1939.

July 20

• Arranger/saxophonist Ernie Wilkins born 1922 in St. Louis, MO.
• Bassist Peter Ind born 1928 in Uxbridge, England.
• Stan Kenton’s band records Bill Holman’s arrangement of “What’s New,” 1955.

July 21

• Vocalist Helen Merrill born 1930 in New York, NY.
• Louis Armstrong records “I’m Confessin’,” 1930.
• Benny Carter arranges and plays on an all-star session for Lionel Hampton, 1938, including trumpeter Harry James and drummer Jo Jones.

Source: Smithsonian Jazz