Chick Webb

William Henry Webb, usually known as Chick Webb (February 10, 1905 - June 16, 1939) was a jazz and swing music drummer and band leader.

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Webb was born in Baltimore, Maryland to William H. and Marie Johnson Webb. He suffered from childhood tuberculosis, leaving him with short height and a badly deformed spine. He supported himself as a newspaper boy and saved up money to buy drums, and first played professionally at age 11.

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At twenty he moved to New York City and by the following year, 1926, he was leading his own band in Harlem. Jazz drummer Tommy Benford said he gave Webb drum lessons when he first reached New York.

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He alternated between band tours and residencies at New York City clubs through the late 1920s. In 1931, his band became the house band at the Savoy Ballroom. He became one of the best-regarded bandleaders and drummers of the new "Swing" style. The Savoy often featured "Battle of the Bands" where Webb's band would compete with other top bands (such as the Benny Goodman Orchestra or the Count Basie Orchestra) from opposing bandstands.

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Webb married a woman named Sallye and in 1935 he began featuring a teenaged Ella Fitzgerald as vocalist. He formally adopted her.

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In November of 1938, Webb's health began to decline, and from then until his death he alternated time on the bandstand with time in hospitals.

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After his death, Ella Fitzgerald led the Chick Webb band for the remainder of the swing era.

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February 10: February 10 is the 41st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 324 days remaining, 325 in leap years....

1905: 1905 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar)....

June 16: June 16 is the 167th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (168th in leap years), with 198 days remaining....

Chick Webb related Images and Photos (experimental)

Chick Webb and Ella Fitzgerald at the Savoy Ballroom New York City 1935	Rock Chick	Jack Webb	Robotic Chick
The Hot Chick	Chick Corea - Live in Montreux	Chick Corea - Live in Montreux	HOP Phil Chick Plush
Spud Webb - Fathead Junior	HOP Carlos Chick Plush	Chick Living 2011 Mini Desk Calendar	Boxer Spider Webb