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 51-75 of 139 records)

Company	Matrix No.	Size	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Role
Decca	38870	10-in.	10/22/1934	Walkin' the dog	Claude Hopkins and his Orchestra	instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone
Decca	38871	10-in.	10/22/1934	Sweetheart o' mine	Claude Hopkins and his Orchestra	instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone
Decca	38872	10-in.	10/22/1934	Monkey business	Claude Hopkins and his Orchestra	instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone
Decca	38873	10-in.	10/22/1934	Zozoi	Claude Hopkins and his Orchestra	instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone
Decca	38986	10-in.	11/9/1934	Mandy	Claude Hopkins and his Orchestra	instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone
Decca	38987	10-in.	11/9/1934	Do you ever think of me?	Claude Hopkins and his Orchestra	instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone
Decca	39320	10-in.	2/1/1935	Trees	Claude Hopkins and his Orchestra	instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone
Decca	39321	10-in.	2/1/1935	Love in bloom	Claude Hopkins and his Orchestra	instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone
Decca	39322	10-in.	2/1/1935	June in January	Claude Hopkins and his Orchestra	instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone
Decca	63934	10-in.	6/9/1938	Pack up your sins and go to the devil	Chick Webb Orchestra	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Decca	63935	10-in.	6/9/1938	MacPherson is rehearsin' to swing	Chick Webb Orchestra	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Decca	63936	10-in.	6/9/1938	Everybody step	Chick Webb Orchestra	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Decca	63937	10-in.	6/9/1938	Ella	Chick Webb Orchestra	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Decca	64459	10-in.	8/17/1938	Wacky dust	Chick Webb Orchestra	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Decca	64460	10-in.	8/17/1938	Gotta pebble in my shoe	Chick Webb Orchestra	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Decca	64461	10-in.	8/17/1938	I can't stop loving you	Chick Webb Orchestra	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Decca	64462	10-in.	8/18/1938	Strictly from Dixie	Ella Fitzgerald and her Savoy Eight	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Decca	64463	10-in.	8/18/1938	Woe is me	Ella Fitzgerald and her Savoy Eight	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Decca	64464	10-in.	8/18/1938	Who ya hunchin'?	Chick Webb Orchestra	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Decca	64465	10-in.	8/18/1938	I let a tear fall in the river	Chick Webb Orchestra	instrumentalist, alto saxophone
Decca	64573	10-in.	10/6/1938	F.D.R Jones	Chick Webb Orchestra	instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone
Decca	64574	10-in.	10/6/1938	I love each move you make	Chick Webb Orchestra	instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone
Decca	64575	10-in.	10/6/1938	It's foxy	Chick Webb Orchestra	instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone
Decca	64576	10-in.	10/6/1938	I found my yellow basket	Chick Webb Orchestra	instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone
Decca	65039	10-in.	2/17/1939	Undecided	Chick Webb Orchestra	instrumentalist, clarinet, alto saxophone

(Results 51-75 of 139 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Jefferson, Hilton," accessed April 26, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109150.

Jefferson, Hilton. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 26, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109150.

"Jefferson, Hilton." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 26 April 2024.

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