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Oran Thaddeus "Hot Lips" Page (January 27, 1908 – November 5, 1954 at age 46 from a heart attack) was an American jazz trumpeter, singer, and bandleader. He was known as a scorching soloist and powerful vocalist.
Page was a member of Walter Page's Blue Devils, Artie Shaw's Orchestra and Count Basie's Orchestra, and he worked with Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith and Ida Cox. He was one of the five musicians booked for the opening night at Birdland with Charlie Parker in 1949.
From 1929, he made over 200 recordings, most as a leader, for Bluebird, Vocalion, Decca and Harmony Records, among others. His band backed the singer Wynonie Harris on the session that produced the hit "Good Rocking Tonight", though Page was never credited as the leader. He was the leader of the house band at the Apollo Theater during the early 1940s. Page was known as "Mr. After Hours" to his many friends for his ability to take on challengers in late-night jam sessions, and he was recorded at Harlem's Minton's Playhouse in 1941 playing in a proto-bebop style. He recorded for the Mezzrow-Bechet Septet (on two consecutive dates in 1945, as Pappa Snow White, with Mezz Mezzrow, Sidney Bechet, Jimmy Blythe, Jr., Danny Barker, Pops Foster, and Sid Catlett, and on the second session with Cousin Joe on vocals.
Page recorded duets with Pearl Bailey on "The Hucklebuck" and "Baby, It's Cold Outside" in 1949. He traveled to Europe in 1949 and appeared at Salle Pleyel in the first international jazz festival there, and returned to Europe at least twice for extended tours in the early 1950s.
He was one of the most flexible of trumpeters, demonstrating a broad tone and a wide range on the instrument. He is considered by many to be one of the founders of what came to be known as rhythm and blues
Offered is an original 8” x 10” TYPE I photograph of Hot Lips Page on tour in Idlewild NYC on May 17, 1949 about to get on his tour bus. He is seen here handing off his trumpet case to the bus driver, while holding his trumpet under his armpit. This original print derived from Popsie’s personal archive and stamped on back with his iconic stamp that he used in the 1940s/50s. ORIGINAL photos of Jazz musicians are rarely seen, as opposed to promotional photos put out by the record companies.
Note - Idlewild, NYC was otherwise known as the New York International Airport and renamed JFK Airport after the death of President John F. Kennedy.
About photographer, William “Popsie” Randolph -
William "Popsie" Randolph was an iconic photographer, best known for capturing the spirit of the jazz and entertainment scenes during the mid-20th century. Born in 1920, he grew up in New York City. He started out at as a member of the Benny Goodman Orchestra and then moved into management. He later would build his career as one of the most prominent music photographers of his era.
Randolph’s work spans several decades, from the 1940s through the 1980s, and features many of the greatest musicians and entertainers of the time. His portfolio is a treasure trove of images that documented the world of jazz, Broadway, and popular music. He was a fixture at recording sessions, concerts, and nightclub performances, photographing luminaries such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Presley.
What made Randolph’s work particularly distinctive was his ability to capture not just the public personas of these figures but the candid, behind-the-scenes moments that offered a glimpse into the lives of these legends. His images often convey a sense of intimacy and artistry, providing a window into the cultural movements of the time.
Randolph was highly sought after by both artists and record labels, often working with major players like Columbia Records and RCA. His work appeared in newspapers, magazines, and album covers, further cementing his reputation as a photographer who had unparalleled access to some of the biggest names in entertainment.
Despite his immense contributions to documenting American music history, Popsie Randolph remained somewhat behind the scenes himself, letting his photographs speak for him. He passed away in 1978, leaving behind a rich visual legacy that continues to inspire both musicians and photographers alike.
His photographs have been exhibited in various galleries and remain a valuable resource for understanding the cultural fabric of mid-20th-century America.
Item: 13697
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