Russell Procope

An excellent altoist, Russell Procope became much better-known as a New Orleans-style clarinetist during his Duke Ellington years. He studied violin for eight years before switching to clarinet and alto. Procope recorded with Jelly Roll Morton in 1928 and had important stints with the big bands of Benny Carter (1929), Chick Webb (1929-1931), Fletcher Henderson (1931-1934), Tiny Bradshaw (1934-1935), Teddy Hill (1935-37), and Willie Bryant. However, it was as a member of the John Kirby sextet (1938-1943) during which he exclusively played alto that Russell Procope did his fines...