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 51-75 of 141 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 38725 10-in. 9/25/1934 Hotter than 'ell-1, 4 Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 38728 10-in. 9/25/1934 Liza-1, 3 Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 38870 10-in. 10/22/1934 Walkin' the dog Claude Hopkins and his Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 38871 10-in. 10/22/1934 Sweetheart o' mine Claude Hopkins and his Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 38872 10-in. 10/22/1934 Monkey business Claude Hopkins and his Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 38873 10-in. 10/22/1934 Zozoi Claude Hopkins and his Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 38986 10-in. 11/9/1934 Mandy Claude Hopkins and his Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 38987 10-in. 11/9/1934 Do you ever think of me? Claude Hopkins and his Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 39320 10-in. 2/1/1935 Trees Claude Hopkins and his Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 39321 10-in. 2/1/1935 Love in bloom Claude Hopkins and his Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Decca 39322 10-in. 2/1/1935 June in January Claude Hopkins and his Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 63934 10-in. 6/9/1938 Pack up your sins and go to the devil Chick Webb Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 63935 10-in. 6/9/1938 MacPherson is rehearsin' to swing Chick Webb Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 63936 10-in. 6/9/1938 Everybody step Chick Webb Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 63937 10-in. 6/9/1938 Ella Chick Webb Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 64459 10-in. 8/17/1938 Wacky dust Chick Webb Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 64460 10-in. 8/17/1938 Gotta pebble in my shoe Chick Webb Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 64461 10-in. 8/17/1938 I can't stop loving you Chick Webb Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 64462 10-in. 8/18/1938 Strictly from Dixie Ella Fitzgerald and her Savoy Eight instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 64463 10-in. 8/18/1938 Woe is me Ella Fitzgerald and her Savoy Eight instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 64464 10-in. 8/18/1938 Who ya hunchin'? Chick Webb Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 64465 10-in. 8/18/1938 I let a tear fall in the river Chick Webb Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 64573 10-in. 10/6/1938 F.D.R Jones Chick Webb Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 64574 10-in. 10/6/1938 I love each move you make Chick Webb Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
Decca 64575 10-in. 10/6/1938 It's foxy Chick Webb Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, clarinet  
(Results 51-75 of 141 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Jefferson, Hilton," accessed November 6, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/109150.

Jefferson, Hilton. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/109150.

"Jefferson, Hilton." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 6 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

External Sources

Wikipedia: Hilton Jefferson

Discogs: Hilton Jefferson

Allmusic: Hilton Jefferson

Grove: Hilton Jefferson

Linked Open Data Sources

LCNAR: Jefferson, Hilton, 1903-1968 - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no91020812

Wikidata: Hilton Jefferson - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q282977

VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/198552

MusicBrainz: Hilton Jefferson - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/fadcfecc-6ecf-4e5c-a43b-fa67a4defb5c

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