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 - 1957

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 26-50 of 139 records)

Company	Matrix No.	Size	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Description	Role
Columbia	W265136	10-in.	9/22/1933	It's the talk of the town	Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra		instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone
Columbia	W265137	10-in.	9/22/1933	Night life-3	Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra		instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone
Columbia	W265138	10-in.	9/22/1933	Nagasaki-2	Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra		instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone
Columbia	W265144	10-in.	9/29/1933	Jamaica shout-1	Coleman Hawkins Orchestra		instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone
Columbia	W265150	10-in.	10/3/1933	Happy feet	Horace Henderson Orchestra		instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Columbia	W265151	10-in.	10/3/1933	I'm rhythm crazy now-1	Horace Henderson Orchestra		instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Columbia	W265152	10-in.	10/3/1933	Old man river	Horace Henderson Orchestra		instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Columbia	W265153	10-in.	10/3/1933	Minnie the moocher's wedding day-1	Horace Henderson Orchestra		instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Columbia	W265154	10-in.	10/3/1933	Ain't cha glad?-1	Horace Henderson Orchestra		instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Columbia	W265155	10-in.	10/3/1933	I've got to sing a torch song	Horace Henderson Orchestra		instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Brunswick	B17913	10-in.	7/31/1935	What a night, what a moon, what a girl	Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Brunswick	B17914	10-in.	7/31/1935	I'm painting the town red	Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Brunswick	B17915	10-in.	7/31/1935	It's too hot for words	Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Decca	38598	10-in.	9/11/1934	Limehouse blues-1, 5	Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra		instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone
Decca	38599	10-in.	9/11/1934	Shanghai shuffle-2, 3	Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra		instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone
Decca	38600	10-in.	9/11/1934	Big John special-3, 4	Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra		instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone
Decca	38601	10-in.	9/11/1934	Happy as the day is long-3, 5	Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra		instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone
Decca	38602	10-in.	9/12/1934	Tidal wave-1, 4	Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra		instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone
Decca	38603	10-in.	9/12/1934	Down South camp meeting-1, 2	Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra		instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone
Decca	38604	10-in.	9/12/1934	Wrappin' it up-2, 3	Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra		instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone
Decca	38605	10-in.	9/12/1934	Memphis blues-3	Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra		instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone
Decca	38723	10-in.	9/25/1934	Wild party-1, 5	Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra		instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone
Decca	38724	10-in.	9/25/1934	Rug cutter's swing-1, 2, 4	Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra		instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone
Decca	38725	10-in.	9/25/1934	Hotter than 'ell-1, 4	Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra		instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone
Decca	38728	10-in.	9/25/1934	Liza-1, 3	Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra		instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone

(Results 26-50 of 139 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Jefferson, Hilton," accessed April 23, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109150.

Jefferson, Hilton. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 23, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109150.

"Jefferson, Hilton." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 23 April 2024.

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