Greely Walton

Greely Walton (October 4, 1904 in Mobile, Alabama – October 9, 1993) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist.

Walton played violin in his youth before settling on saxophone, and studied music at the University of Pittsburgh in the 1920s. He worked first with Elmer Snowden in 1926, then with Benny Carter (1929) and for an extended period with Luis Russell (1930–37). During this time Russell's ensemble was occasionally led by Red Allen, and served as Louis Armstrong's backing ensemble for a period. After leaving Russell, Walton worked with Vernon Andrade (1938), Horace Henderson (1941), Cootie Williams as a baritone saxophonist (1942–43), and Cab Calloway (1943–45). From 1945-47 he acted as musical director for The Ink Spots, and played with Noble Sissle and Sy Oliver towards the end of the decade. He did work in radio and television in the 1950s before retiring from music in that decade.

Birth and Death Data: Born October 4, 1904, Died October 9, 1993

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1929 - 1936

Roles Represented in DAHR: tenor saxophone, clarinet, songwriter

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

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 36 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BVE-48333 10-in. 2/1/1929 Call of the freaks King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-48334 10-in. 2/1/1929 The trumpet's prayer King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-49649 10-in. 1/16/1929 Freakish light blues King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BVE-49650 10-in. 1/16/1929 West End blues King Oliver Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, clarinet  
Victor BRC-70195 10-in. 8/28/1931 You rascal you Henry Allen ; Luis Russell Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor BRC-70196 10-in. 8/28/1931 Goin' to town Chick Bullock ; Luis Russell Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor BRC-70197 10-in. 8/28/1931 Say the word Chick Bullock ; Luis Russell Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Victor BRC-70198 10-in. 8/28/1931 Freakish blues Luis Russell Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Columbia W148533 10-in. 5/15/1929 I got what it takes (But it breaks my heart to give it away) Bessie Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with instrumental quintet instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Columbia W148534 10-in. 5/15/1929 Nobody knows you when you're down and out Bessie Smith Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with instrumental quintet instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Brunswick E35758 10-in. 12/17/1930 Saratoga drag Luis Russell Orchestra Jazz/dance band songwriter  
Decca 60021 10-in. 10/3/1935 I'm in the mood for love Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 60022 10-in. 10/3/1935 You're my lucky star Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 60023 10-in. 10/3/1935 La cucaracha Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 60024 10-in. 10/3/1935 Got a brand new suit Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 60155 10-in. 11/21/1935 I've got my fingers crossed Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 60156 10-in. 11/21/1935 Old man Mose (is dead)-1 Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 60157 10-in. 11/21/1935 I'm shooting high Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 60158 10-in. 11/21/1935 (Was I to blame for) Falling in love with you Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 60227 10-in. 12/13/1935 Red sails in the sunset Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 60228 10-in. 12/13/1935 On Treasure Island Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 60249 10-in. 12/19/1935 Thanks a million Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 60250 10-in. 12/19/1935 Shoe Shine Boy Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 60251 10-in. 12/19/1935 Solitude Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 60252 10-in. 12/19/1935 I hope Gabriel likes my music Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
(Results 1-25 of 36 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Walton, Greely," accessed March 28, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/112490.

Walton, Greely. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/112490.

"Walton, Greely." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 28 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/112490

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