McKinney's Cotton Pickers

McKinney's Cotton Pickers were an American jazz band, founded in Detroit, Michigan, United States in 1926, and led by William McKinney, who expanded his Synco Septet to ten players. Cuba Austin took over for McKinney on drums, with the latter becoming the band's manager. Between 1927 and 1931, they were one of the most popular African American bands. Many of their records for Victor were bestsellers.

In 1927, Fletcher Henderson's arranger and saxophone player Don Redman was invited to become the Cotton Pickers' musical director and he assembled a band. John Nesbitt helped Redman with arrangements and rehearsals. The band in 1928 included Cuba Austin (drums and vocals), Langston Curl (trumpet), Ralph Escudero (tuba), Claude Jones, Redman (clarinet, alto saxophone, baritone saxophone, vocals), Todd Rhodes (piano, celeste), Prince Robinson (clarinet, tenor saxophone), Milton Senior (trombone), George Thomas (clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, vocals) and Dave Wilborn (banjo, vocals).

Other band members included George Bias (vocals), Benny Carter (clarinet, alto saxophone), Doc Cheatham (trumpet), Bill Coti (vocals), Ed Cuffee (trombone), Lois Deppe (vocals), Jimmy Dudley (clarinet, tenor saxophone), Robert Inge (clarinet, (alto saxophone), Quentin Jackson (trombone), Moxey-Hilton Jefferson (clarinet, alto saxophone), James P. Johnson (piano), Buddy Lee (trumpet), Donald King (vocals), Frank Marvin (vocals), Theodore McCord (clarinet, tenor saxophone), Jim Napier (vocals), Rex Stewart (cornet), and Billy Taylor (tuba). Towards the end of 1929, multiple soloists who were not regular members of the band sat in for a series of recordings. These included Leonard Davis (trumpet), Sidney de Paris (trumpet), Coleman Hawkins (clarinet, tenor saxophone), Fats Waller (piano, celeste), Joe "Fox" Smith (trumpet, cornet), and Kaiser Marshall (drums).

In 1931, Redman left to form a band and was replaced by Benny Carter. The Cotton Pickers disbanded in 1934, unable to make money during the Great Depression. Manager of the band was Jean Goldkette who arranged for the group to record "Birmingham Bertha" for him in July 1929.

A New McKinney's Cotton Pickers was organized in the early 1970s by David Hutson, using the arrangements by Don Redman. The band recorded several albums and featured banjoist Dave Wilborn, who was the only surviving original member. The new group recorded music with Detroit trombonist Al Winters, as well as other leading members of Detroit's jazz scene during the era of the 1970s though the 1990s.

Birth and Death Data: Born Founded 1926

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1928 - 1931

Roles Represented in DAHR: Musical group

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

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BVE-46092 10-in. 7/11/1928 Sweet Sue, just you McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Victor BVE-46093 10-in. 7/11/1928 Four or five times McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band, with vocal trio Musical group  
Victor BVE-46094 10-in. 7/11/1928 Put it there McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Victor BVE-46095 10-in. 7/11/1928 Crying and sighing McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Victor BVE-46096 10-in. 7/11/1928 Milenberg joys McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Victor BVE-46098 10-in. 7/12/1928 Cherry McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-46099 10-in. 7/12/1928 Stop kidding McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Victor BVE-46400 10-in. 7/12/1928 Nobody's sweetheart McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo (scat) Musical group  
Victor BVE-46401 10-in. 7/12/1928 Some sweet day McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Victor BVE-46402 10-in. 7/12/1928 Shim-me-sha-wabble McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Victor BVE-48619 10-in. 11/23/1928 It's tight like that McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-48620 10-in. 11/23/1928 There's a rainbow 'round my shoulder McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-51084 10-in. 4/8/1929 It's a precious little thing called love McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Victor BVE-51085 10-in. 4/8/1929 Save it, pretty mamma McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-51086 10-in. 4/8/1929 I found a new baby McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-51087 10-in. 4/8/1929 Will you, won't you, be my babe? McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Victor BVE-51204 10-in. 4/9/1929 Beedle-um bum McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal quartet Musical group  
Victor BVE-51205 10-in. 4/9/1929 Do something McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Victor BVE-51206 10-in. 4/9/1929 Selling that stuff McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal duet Musical group  
Victor BVE-51207 10-in. 4/9/1929 It feels so good McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Victor BVE-57064 10-in. 11/5/1929 Plain dirt McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Victor BVE-57065 10-in. 11/5/1929 Gee, ain't I good to you McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Victor BVE-57066 10-in. 11/6/1929 I'd love it McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Victor BVE-57067 10-in. 11/6/1929 The way I feel today McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-57068 10-in. 11/6/1929 Miss Hannah McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-57139 10-in. 11/7/1929 Peggy McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Victor BVE-57140 10-in. 11/7/1929 Wherever there's a will, baby McKinney's Cotton Pickers ; Don Redman Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-58543 10-in. 1/31/1930 I'll make fun for you McKinney's Cotton Pickers ; George Thomas Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-58544 10-in. 1/31/1930 Words can't express McKinney's Cotton Pickers ; George Thomas Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-58545 10-in. 1/31/1930 If I could be with you one hour to-night McKinney's Cotton Pickers ; George Thomas Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-58546 10-in. 2/3/1930 Honeysuckle rose McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-58547 10-in. 2/3/1930 Then someone's in love McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-59140 10-in. 2/3/1930 Zonky McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-59141 10-in. 2/3/1930 Trav'lin' all alone McKinney's Cotton Pickers ; George Thomas Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo and male vocal chorus Musical group  
Victor BVE-63195 10-in. 11/5/1930 I want your love McKinney's Cotton Pickers ; Dave Wilborn Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-63196 10-in. 11/5/1930 Hello McKinney's Cotton Pickers ; Dave Wilborn Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-64002 10-in. 7/28/1930 Just a shade corn McKinney's Cotton Pickers ; Dave Wilborn Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-64003 10-in. 7/28/1930 Baby won't you please come home McKinney's Cotton Pickers ; George Thomas Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-64004 10-in. 7/29/1930 Okay, baby McKinney's Cotton Pickers ; George Thomas Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-64005 10-in. 7/29/1930 Blues sure have got me McKinney's Cotton Pickers ; Don Redman Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-64006 10-in. 7/30/1930 Hullabaloo McKinney's Cotton Pickers ; Dave Wilborn Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-64007 10-in. 7/30/1930 I want a little girl McKinney's Cotton Pickers ; George Thomas Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-64008 10-in. 7/31/1930 Cotton picker's scat McKinney's Cotton Pickers ; George Thomas Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo and vocal chorus Musical group  
Victor BVE-64055 10-in. 12/17/1930 To whom it may concern Lois Deppe ; McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-64056 10-in. 12/17/1930 You're driving me crazy McKinney's Cotton Pickers ; Dave Wilborn Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-64058 10-in. 12/18/1930 Come a little closer Quentin Jackson ; McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-64605 10-in. 11/3/1930 Talk to me McKinney's Cotton Pickers ; Don Redman Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-64606 10-in. 11/3/1930 Rocky road McKinney's Cotton Pickers ; Don Redman Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-64607 10-in. 11/4/1930 Laughing at life McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-64608 10-in. 11/4/1930 Never swat a fly McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-64609 10-in. 11/5/1930 After all, you're all I'm after George Bias ; McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-64610 10-in. 11/5/1930 I miss a little miss George Bias ; McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-67934 10-in. 2/12/1931 It's a lonesome old town (When you're not around) Lois Deppe ; McKinney's Cotton Pickers Instrumental ensemble, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BVE-67935 10-in. 2/12/1931 She's my secret passion Donald King ; McKinney's Cotton Pickers Instrumental ensemble, with male vocal solo Musical group  
Victor BRC-68300 10-in. 9/8/1931 Do you believe in love at first sight? McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band Musical group  
Victor BVE-70495 10-in. 9/8/1931 Wrap up your troubles in dreams McKinney's Cotton Pickers Jazz/dance band Musical group  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "McKinney's Cotton Pickers," accessed March 28, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103735.

McKinney's Cotton Pickers. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103735.

"McKinney's Cotton Pickers." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 28 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103735

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

Feedback

Send the Editors a message about this record.