Herschel Evans and Chu Berry: the short careers of two tenor masters of the swing era

In the 1930's Coleman Hawkins' big sound and harmonic mastery ruled the roost, but there were tenor saxophonists who challenged Hawks throne, Two of these talented tenor players died before they had a chance to find fame: Chu Berry, and Herschel Evans. . Herschel Evans joined the Count Basie band In 1936, where he rose to prominence playing tenor saxophone alongside Lester Young .The Basie band of the late '30s was the first to feature a two tenor lineup: Lester Young, with his entirely new and lighter approach, and Herschel Evans, who was in the mold of Coleman Hawkins. Herschel Evans stayed with Basie until his death in 1939 and almost all of the scant Evans discography comes from his tenure with Basie.

The most celebrated solos of Chu Berry's career came during his tenure with Cab Calloway's band, where he was the featured soloist. Chu was held in awe by both Calloway and his fellow musicians.

Both had scant discographies, but we'll listen to the cream of the crop of their recorded output.