Hilton Jefferson

Hilton Jefferson (July 30, 1903 – November 14, 1968) was an American jazz alto saxophonist born in Danbury, Connecticut, United States, perhaps best known for leading the saxophone section from 1940–1949 in the Cab Calloway band. Jefferson is said to have been "a soft, delicate saxophone player, with an exquisite sensibility."

In 1929, Jefferson began his professional career with Claude Hopkins, and throughout the 1930s was busy working for the big bands of Chick Webb, Fletcher Henderson and McKinney's Cotton Pickers. From 1952–1953, Jefferson performed with Duke Ellington, but ultimately became a bank guard to support himself with a steady income. In the 1950s, he continued to perform, especially with Rex Stewart and some former members of Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra.

Birth and Death Data: Born July 30, 1903 (Danbury), Died November 14, 1968 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1929 - 1958

Roles Represented in DAHR: alto saxophone, clarinet, tenor saxophone

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

Recordings (Results 26-50 of 141 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia W265136 10-in. 9/22/1933 It's the talk of the town Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Columbia W265137 10-in. 9/22/1933 Night life-3 Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Columbia W265138 10-in. 9/22/1933 Nagasaki-2 Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Columbia W265144 10-in. 9/29/1933 Jamaica shout-1 Coleman Hawkins Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Columbia W265150 10-in. 10/3/1933 Happy feet Horace Henderson Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Columbia W265151 10-in. 10/3/1933 I'm rhythm crazy now-1 Horace Henderson Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Columbia W265152 10-in. 10/3/1933 Old man river Horace Henderson Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Columbia W265153 10-in. 10/3/1933 Minnie the moocher's wedding day-1 Horace Henderson Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Columbia W265154 10-in. 10/3/1933 Ain't cha glad?-1 Horace Henderson Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Columbia W265155 10-in. 10/3/1933 I've got to sing a torch song Horace Henderson Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Brunswick B17913 10-in. 7/31/1935 What a night, what a moon, what a girl Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Brunswick B17914 10-in. 7/31/1935 I'm painting the town red Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Brunswick B17915 10-in. 7/31/1935 It's too hot for words Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Atlantic 2930 10-in. 1/22/1958 Jump for joy Howard Biggs' Orchestra ; Joe Turner instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Atlantic 2931 10-in. 1/22/1958 Blues in the night Howard Biggs' Orchestra ; Joe Turner instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 38598 10-in. 9/11/1934 Limehouse blues-1, 5 Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 38599 10-in. 9/11/1934 Shanghai shuffle-2, 3 Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 38600 10-in. 9/11/1934 Big John special-3, 4 Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 38601 10-in. 9/11/1934 Happy as the day is long-3, 5 Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 38602 10-in. 9/12/1934 Tidal wave-1, 4 Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 38603 10-in. 9/12/1934 Down South camp meeting-1, 2 Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 38604 10-in. 9/12/1934 Wrappin' it up-2, 3 Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 38605 10-in. 9/12/1934 Memphis blues-3 Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 38723 10-in. 9/25/1934 Wild party-1, 5 Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 38724 10-in. 9/25/1934 Rug cutter's swing-1, 2, 4 Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
(Results 26-50 of 141 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Jefferson, Hilton," accessed November 22, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/109150.

Jefferson, Hilton. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 22, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/109150.

"Jefferson, Hilton." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 22 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/109150

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