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 1-25 of 141 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BVE-57527 10-in. 11/6/1929 I'm lonesome, sweetheart King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor BVE-57528 10-in. 11/6/1929 I want you just myself King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor BVE-57529 10-in. 11/6/1929 I can't stop loving you King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor BVE-58338 10-in. 12/30/1929 Everybody does it in Hawaii King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, alto saxophone  
Victor BVE-58339 10-in. 12/30/1929 Frankie and Johnny King Oliver Orchestra ; Roy Smeck Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, alto saxophone  
Victor BVE-58340 10-in. 12/30/1929 New Orleans shout King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, alto saxophone  
Victor BVE-58527 10-in. 1/28/1930 St. James Infirmary King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Victor BVE-58528 10-in. 1/28/1930 When you're smiling (The whole world smiles with you) King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Victor BVE-59525 10-in. 3/18/1930 I must have it King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Victor BVE-59526 10-in. 3/18/1930 Rhythm Club stomp King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Victor BVE-59527 10-in. 3/18/1930 You're just my type King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Victor BVE-59747 10-in. 4/10/1930 Edna King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Victor BVE-59748 10-in. 4/10/1930 Boogie woogie King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor BVE-59749 10-in. 4/10/1930 Mule face blues King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
Victor BVE-63134 10-in. 9/12/1930 What's the use of living without love George Bias ; King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor BVE-63135 10-in. 9/12/1930 (You were only) Passinig time with me George Bias ; King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor BVE-63639 10-in. 9/10/1930 Shake it and break it King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor BVE-63640 10-in. 9/10/1930 Stingaree blues King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor BVE-64013 10-in. 9/19/1930 Nelson stomp King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor BVE-64014 10-in. 9/19/1930 Stealing love King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor MS-031431 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late Jan. 1939 Tea for two Chick Webb Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor MS-031432 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late Jan. 1939 Crazy rhythm Chick Webb Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor MS-031433 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late Jan. 1939 Blue skies Chick Webb Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Columbia C3519 10-in. 1/16/1941 Willow weep for me Cab Calloway Orchestra ; Cab Calloway ; Hilton Jefferson Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Columbia W265135 10-in. 9/22/1933 Queer notions-1 Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone  
(Results 1-25 of 141 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Jefferson, Hilton," accessed November 7, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/109150.

Jefferson, Hilton. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 7, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/109150.

"Jefferson, Hilton." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 7 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license

Feedback

Send the Editors a message about this record.