Wrote earliest Hits for Count Basie; Jimmie Lunceford
Choreographed Brass
Co-Wrote "I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire" (Ink Spots)
Arranged "In The Mood" (Glenn Miller);
Recorded 1st HIT on BOTH amplified & electric GUITAR;
Played non-pressure slide, valve, muted Trombone;
Coached, Led 1940's All-Girl Orchestras
EMMY NOMINATED
DOCUMENTARY
Annual Festival in San Marcos, Texas USA
Speech at Julliard
In Volume 1 "VIRTUOSITY" Eddie's brothers/cousins attended music school daily where they learned multiple instruments and to read and notate music - very unusual for African Indian Americans.They toured with SW circus,vaudeville and minstrel troupes. As a result, Eddie became a master arranger, composer, trombonist and guitarist.
Major Band leaders, black and white, hired his unique ability to produce big-band swing music HITS: Bennie Moten, Count Basie, Jimmie Lunceford, The Sweethearts of Rhythm, Harry James. He masterminded the "dueling tenors" of Lester Young and (Eddie's cousin) Herschel Evans; Choreographed Brass Sections; Co-composed "I Don't Want To Set The World on Fire" for The Ink Spots; and he arranged the NARAS Hall of Fame hit: "In The Mood" for Glenn Miller !
Eddie recorded the first amplified guitar on "Honey Keep Your Mind On Me". Eddie recorded on a resonated guitar on "Hittin' the Bottle" - both BIG hits; John Hammond, Sr., produced Eddie showcasing the first American electric guitar on the classics: "The Lester Young Sessions". In 1940, Eddie recorded a new esoteric sound on guitar of "I Want A Little Girl" and "Magic Carpet." The book VIRTUOSITY ends at World War II, all-girl orchestras. Volume 2, "Eddie Durham and the Ladies of Jazz," explores his amazing story touring with all girls for 5 years.
Reviews, Interviews...:
JAZZ ON THE TUBE audio interview by Lester Perkins
South Texas Jazz Project: audio Interview by DJ Kory Cook
Texas State Historical Asso. - disquisition by Dave Oliphant
Eddie Durham Media Collection - TSU
THE SYNCOPATED TIMES article by David Radlauer
JAZZ MUSEUM IN HARLEM audio interview by Loren Schoenberg
PICTORIAL DISCOGRAPHY YouTube videos
Let's SWING - DANCE Classes in HARLEM, NY
Swingin' the Blues series (Volume 4):
Harlem Blues & Jazz Band - tour with the legends - over 100 pictures!
"Tour Itinerary & Diary" of
Volume4: 1977-1987 "The Harlem Blues & Jazz Band". Also includes a 1985 tour with Mama LuParks & The Savoy Lindyhoppers!
Book Cover Art by BRIAN KRAMER
Volume One Reviews & Interviews:
"THE VIRTUOSITY OF EDDIE DURHAM"
"JAZZ AROUND TOWN" by Scott Yanow
"JAZZ RAG MAG": Issue#169 Winter 2022 by Ron Simpson (J.Witherspoon on the cover)