Wayman Carver
Wayman Carver (December 25, 1905, Portsmouth, Virginia – May 6, 1967, Atlanta) was an American jazz flutist and reeds player. He is considered as a pioneer of the use of the flute in jazz. Carver was a rare jazz flautist active during the swing era, and was among the earliest soloists on his main instrument to perform jazz, although Alberto Socarras preceded him by about five years. Many historians credit him as the first pure jazz flutist. His first professional experience was with J. Neal Montgomery. After he moved to New York City in 1931, he recorded and performed with Dave Nelson, and played with Elmer Snowden (1931–32), Benny Carter, and Spike Hughes (1933). His recordings from this time, among the first which included jazz flute, are cited by jazz flutists during the late 1940`s and early 1950`s as being models for their playing. From 1934 to 1939, he played with Chick Webb on both saxophone and flute. After Webb died, he continued in the orchestra during its period of leadership under Ella Fitzgerald until 1941. After leaving the jazz scene, he became a professor of music at Clark College, where he taught saxophonists George Adams and Marion Brown, among others. Tenor saxophonist and flutist Frank Wess named Carver as one of his early flute teachers. |
Birth and Death Data: Born Portsmouth (independent city in Virginia, United States), Died May 6, 1967 (Atlanta (capital city of Georgia, United States) )
Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1934 - 1940
Roles Represented in DAHR: flute, tenor saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet, arranger
= 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 | MS-031431 | 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) | approximately late January 1939 | Tea for two | Chick Webb Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, flute | |
| Victor | MS-031432 | 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) | approximately late January 1939 | Crazy rhythm | Chick Webb Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, flute | |
| Victor | MS-031433 | 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) | approximately late January 1939 | Blue skies | Chick Webb Orchestra | Jazz/dance band | instrumentalist, tenor saxophone, flute | |
| Decca | 38593 | 10-in. | 9/10/1934 | That rhythm man | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 38594 | 10-in. | 9/10/1934 | On the sunny side of the street | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 38595 | 10-in. | 9/10/1934 | Lona-1 | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 38596 | 10-in. | 9/10/1934 | Blue minor-1 | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 39138 | 10-in. | 11/19/1934 | It's over because we're through | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 39140 | 10-in. | 11/19/1934 | Don't be that way | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 39141 | 10-in. | 11/19/1934 | What a shuffle-1 | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 39142 | 10-in. | 11/19/1934 | Blue Lou | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 39614 | 10-in. | 6/12/1935 | I'll chase the blues away | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 39615 | 10-in. | 6/12/1935 | Down home rag-1 | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone, arranger | ||
| Decca | 39616 | 10-in. | 6/12/1935 | Are you here to stay? | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 39617 | 10-in. | 6/12/1935 | Love and kisses | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 60054 | 10-in. | 10/12/1935 | Rhythm and romance | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 60055 | 10-in. | 10/12/1935 | Moonlight and magnolias | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 60056 | 10-in. | 10/12/1935 | I'll chase the blues away | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 60057 | 10-in. | 10/12/1935 | I may be wrong (but, I think you're wonderful) | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 60058 | 10-in. | 10/12/1935 | Facts and figures | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 60999 | 10-in. | 4/7/1936 | Love, you're just a laugh | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 61000 | 10-in. | 4/7/1936 | Cryin' my heart out for you | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 61001 | 10-in. | 4/7/1936 | under the spell of the blues | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 61002 | 10-in. | 4/7/1936 | When I get low I get high | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 61123 | 10-in. | 6/2/1936 | Go Harlem-1 | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 61124 | 10-in. | 6/2/1936 | Sing me a swing song (and let me dance) | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 61125 | 10-in. | 6/2/1936 | A little bit later on | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 61126 | 10-in. | 6/2/1936 | Love, you're just a laugh | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 61127 | 10-in. | 6/2/1936 | Devoting my time to you | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 61361 | 10-in. | 10/29/1936 | (If you can't sing it) You'll have to swing it | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 61362 | 10-in. | 10/29/1936 | Swinging on the reservation | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 61363 | 10-in. | 10/29/1936 | I got the Spring fever blues | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 61364 | 10-in. | 10/29/1936 | Vote for Mr. Rhythm | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 61520 | 10-in. | 1/14/1937 | There's frost on the moon-1 | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 61527 | 10-in. | 1/14/1937 | Take another guess | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 61528 | 10-in. | 1/14/1937 | Love marches on-1 | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 61530 | 10-in. | 1/15/1937 | Gee, but you're swell | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 62064 | 10-in. | 3/24/1937 | Rusty hinge | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 62065 | 10-in. | 3/24/1937 | Wake up and live-2 | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 62066 | 10-in. | 3/24/1937 | It's swell of you | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 62067 | 10-in. | 3/24/1937 | You showed me the way | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 62068 | 10-in. | 3/24/1937 | Clap hands! Here comes Charley | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 62069 | 10-in. | 3/24/1937 | Cryin' mood | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 62072 | 10-in. | 3/24/1937 | Love is the thing, so they say | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 62073 | 10-in. | 3/24/1937 | That naughty waltz | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 62618 | 10-in. | 9/21/1937 | In a little Spanish town | Chick Webb and his Little Chicks | instrumentalist, flute | ||
| Decca | 62619 | 10-in. | 9/21/1937 | I got rhythm | Chick Webb and his Little Chicks | instrumentalist, flute | ||
| Decca | 62620 | 10-in. | 9/21/1937 | I ain't got nobody | Chick Webb and his Little Chicks | instrumentalist, flute | ||
| Decca | 62725 | 10-in. | 10/27/1937 | Just a simple melody | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 62726 | 10-in. | 10/27/1937 | I got a guy | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 62727 | 10-in. | 10/27/1937 | Strictly jive | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 62728 | 10-in. | 10/27/1937 | Holiday in Harlem | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 62737 | 10-in. | 11/1/1937 | Sweet Sue, just you | Chick Webb and his Little Chicks | instrumentalist, flute | ||
| Decca | 62738 | 10-in. | 11/1/1937 | Rock it for me | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 62739 | 10-in. | 11/1/1937 | Squeeze me | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 62740 | 10-in. | 11/1/1937 | Harlem conga | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 62743 | 10-in. | 11/2/1937 | Hallelujah! | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 62744 | 10-in. | 11/2/1937 | I want to be happy | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 62886 | 12-in. | 12/17/1937 | I want to be happy-1 | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 62887 | 10-in. | 12/17/1937 | The dipsy doodle-1 | Chick Webb Orchestra ; Ella Fitzgerald | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 62888 | 10-in. | 12/17/1937 | If dreams come true | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 62889 | 12-in. | 12/17/1937 | Hallelujah! | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 62890 | 10-in. | 12/17/1937 | Midnite in a madhouse (Midnite in Harlem) | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 63693 | 10-in. | 5/2/1938 | A-tisket, a-tasket | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 63694 | 10-in. | 5/2/1938 | Heart of mine | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 63695 | 10-in. | 5/2/1938 | I'm just a jitterbug | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 63696 | 10-in. | 5/2/1938 | Azure | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 63707 | 10-in. | 5/3/1938 | Spinnin' the Webb | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 63708 | 10-in. | 5/3/1938 | Liza (All the clouds 'll roll away) | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 63934 | 10-in. | 6/9/1938 | Pack up your sins and go to the devil | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 63935 | 10-in. | 6/9/1938 | MacPherson is rehearsin' to swing | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 63936 | 10-in. | 6/9/1938 | Everybody step | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 63937 | 10-in. | 6/9/1938 | Ella | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 64459 | 10-in. | 8/17/1938 | Wacky dust | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 64460 | 10-in. | 8/17/1938 | Gotta pebble in my shoe | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 64461 | 10-in. | 8/17/1938 | I can't stop loving you | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 64464 | 10-in. | 8/18/1938 | Who ya hunchin'? | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 64465 | 10-in. | 8/18/1938 | I let a tear fall in the river | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 64573 | 10-in. | 10/6/1938 | F.D.R Jones | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 64574 | 10-in. | 10/6/1938 | I love each move you make | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 64575 | 10-in. | 10/6/1938 | It's foxy | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 64576 | 10-in. | 10/6/1938 | I found my yellow basket | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 65039 | 10-in. | 2/17/1939 | Undecided | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 65040 | 10-in. | 2/17/1939 | T'ain't what you do | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 65041 | 10-in. | 2/17/1939 | In the groove at the Grove | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 65042 | 10-in. | 2/17/1939 | One side of me | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 65043 | 10-in. | 2/17/1939 | My heart belongs to Daddy | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 65094 | 10-in. | 3/2/1939 | Sugar pie | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 65095 | 10-in. | 3/2/1939 | It's slumbertime along the Swanee | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 65096 | 10-in. | 3/2/1939 | I'm up a tree | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 65097 | 10-in. | 3/2/1939 | Chew-chew-chew (Your bubble gum) | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 65445 | 10-in. | 4/21/1939 | Have mercy | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 65446 | 10-in. | 4/21/1939 | Little white lies | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 65447 | 10-in. | 4/21/1939 | Coochi-coochi-coo | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 65448 | 10-in. | 4/21/1939 | That was my heart | Chick Webb Orchestra | instrumentalist, flute, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 65903 | 10-in. | 6/29/1939 | Betcha nickel | Ella Fitzgerald | instrumentalist, flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 65904 | 10-in. | 6/29/1939 | Stairway to the stars | Ella Fitzgerald | instrumentalist, flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 65905 | 10-in. | 6/29/1939 | I want the waiter (with the water) | Ella Fitzgerald | instrumentalist, flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 65906 | 10-in. | 6/29/1939 | That's all, brother | Ella Fitzgerald | instrumentalist, flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 65907 | 10-in. | 6/29/1939 | Out of nowhere | Ella Fitzgerald | instrumentalist, flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 66134 | 10-in. | 8/18/1939 | My last goodbye | Ella Fitzgerald | instrumentalist, flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 66135 | 10-in. | 8/18/1939 | Billy (I always dream of Billy) | Ella Fitzgerald | instrumentalist, flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 66136 | 10-in. | 8/18/1939 | Please tell me the truth | Ella Fitzgerald | instrumentalist, flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 66137 | 10-in. | 8/18/1939 | I'm not complainin' | Ella Fitzgerald | instrumentalist, flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 66138 | 10-in. | 8/18/1939 | Betcha nickel | Ella Fitzgerald | instrumentalist, flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 67119 | 10-in. | 1/26/1940 | Is there somebody else ? | Ella Fitzgerald | instrumentalist, flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 67120 | 10-in. | 1/26/1940 | Sugar blues | Ella Fitzgerald | instrumentalist, flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 67121 | 10-in. | 1/26/1940 | The starlit hour | Ella Fitzgerald | instrumentalist, flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 67122 | 10-in. | 1/26/1940 | What's the matter with me? | Ella Fitzgerald | instrumentalist, flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone | ||
| Master | M301 | 10-in. | 3/25/1937 | My honey's lovin' arms | The Gotham Stompers | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, alto saxophone | |
| Master | M302 | 10-in. | 3/25/1937 | Did anyone ever tell you | The Gotham Stompers | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, alto saxophone | |
| Master | M303 | 10-in. | 3/25/1937 | Alabamy home | The Gotham Stompers | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, alto saxophone | |
| Master | M304 | 10-in. | 3/25/1937 | Where are you? | The Gotham Stompers | Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo | instrumentalist, alto saxophone | |
| Decca | 91836 | 10-in. | 10/12/1939 | You're gonna lose your gal | Ella Fitzgerald | instrumentalist, flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 91837 | 10-in. | 10/12/1939 | After I say I'm sorry | Ella Fitzgerald | instrumentalist, flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 91838 | 10-in. | 10/12/1939 | Baby, what else can I do? | Ella Fitzgerald | instrumentalist, flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 91839 | 10-in. | 10/12/1939 | My wubba dolly | Ella Fitzgerald | instrumentalist, flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 91840 | 10-in. | 10/12/1939 | Lindy hoppers' delight (Instrumental) | Ella Fitzgerald | instrumentalist, flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone | ||
| Decca | 91841 | 10-in. | 10/12/1939 | Moon ray | Ella Fitzgerald | instrumentalist, flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone |
Citation
Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Carver, Wayman," accessed January 6, 2026, http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/201649.
Carver, Wayman. (2026). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved January 6, 2026, from http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/201649.
"Carver, Wayman." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2026. Web. 6 January 2026.
DAHR Persistent Identifier
External Sources
Wikipedia: Wayman Carver
Discogs: Wayman Carver
Allmusic: Wayman Carver
Grove: Wayman Carver
Linked Open Data Sources
LCNAR: Carver, Wayman Alexander, 1905-1967 - https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n86142006
Wikidata: Wayman Carver - https://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q1275235
VIAF: https://viaf.org/viaf/27869271
MusicBrainz: Wayman Carver - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/d98fcfdf-b183-4eff-89bf-e5abf94ab02f
Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license
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