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Herman Chittison

Herman "Ivory" Chittison (October 15, 1908 – March 8, 1967) was an American jazz pianist.

He was born in Flemingsburg, Kentucky, United States. Chittison began his career in Zack Whyte's territory band in Ohio in 1928. In the early 1930s, he moved to New York and found work as an accompanist to Ethel Waters, Adelaide Hall, and Clarence Williams. He also visited Boston for the first time with a traveling show headlined by comic actor Stepin Fetchit. In late 1933, he went to Europe with the Willie Lewis Orchestra and toured Europe with them; the following year he recorded with Louis Armstrong in Paris. He and Bill Coleman led the Harlem Rhythm Makers. Herman Chittison and trumpeter Bill Coleman left Lewis in 1938 and formed a band that worked extensively in Cairo, Egypt, and traveled as far east as India. In October 1959, Chittison arrived in Boston and was employed as the resident pianist at the Red Garter bar in the Lenox Hotel. He then moved to the Mayfair Lounge in Bay Village. His stay in Boston lasted two years. Chittison had a reoccurring role as the piano player in the Blue Note Bar on the radio series, Casey, Crime Photographer.

Herman Chittison died in March 1967, at the age of 58.

Birth and Death Data: Born October 15, 1908 (Flemingsburg), Died March 8, 1967 (Cleveland)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1929 - 1947

Roles Represented in DAHR: piano, leader, celeste

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 26-45 of 45 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 68819 10-in. 3/14/1941 Georgia on my mind Mildred Bailey ; Delta Rhythm Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 68820 10-in. 3/14/1941 Rockin' chair Mildred Bailey ; Delta Rhythm Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 68821 10-in. 3/14/1941 Sometimes I'm happy Mildred Bailey ; Delta Rhythm Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 68822 10-in. 3/14/1941 I'm afraid of music Mildred Bailey ; Delta Rhythm Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 69360 10-in. 6/13/1941 Do you care? Delta Rhythm Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 69361 10-in. 6/13/1941 Ev'rything depends on you-1 Mildred Bailey ; Delta Rhythm Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 69362 10-in. 6/13/1941 Lover come back to me Mildred Bailey instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 69363 10-in. 6/13/1941 All too soon Mildred Bailey instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 69412 10-in. 6/24/1941 It's so peaceful c.n the country Mildred Bailey ; Delta Rhythm Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 69413 10-in. 6/24/1941 When I'm gone you'll soon forget Delta Rhythm Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 69414 10-in. 6/24/1941 When you're gone I won't forget Delta Rhythm Boys instrumentalist, piano  
Decca N 1336 10-in. 1/3/1944 How high the moon Herman Chittison Trio instrumentalist, piano  
Decca N 1337 10-in. 1/3/1944 The song is ended Herman Chittison Trio instrumentalist, piano  
Decca N 1338 10-in. 1/3/1944 Just one of those things Herman Chittison Trio instrumentalist, piano  
Decca N 1339 10-in. 1/3/1944 Schubert's serenade Herman Chittison Trio instrumentalist, piano  
Decca N 1340 10-in. 1/3/1944 As time goes by Herman Chittison Trio instrumentalist, piano  
Decca N 1341 10-in. 1/3/1944 Frasquita serenade Herman Chittison Trio instrumentalist, piano  
Decca N 1342 10-in. 1/3/1944 My old flame Herman Chittison Trio instrumentalist, piano  
Decca N 1343 10-in. 1/3/1944 Lover Herman Chittison Trio instrumentalist, piano  
Decca N 1344 10-in. 1/3/1944 Persian rug Herman Chittison Trio instrumentalist, piano  
(Results 26-45 of 45 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Chittison, Herman," accessed November 4, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/106794.

Chittison, Herman. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 4, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/106794.

"Chittison, Herman." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 4 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/106794

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