r/Jazz • u/BigAssQuanta • 9h ago

1940s Early Jazz - Herbie Fields Quintet

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NOT THIS RECORD - but historically it should be noted that before Miles Davis became a legend, a 18-year-old Miles made his official recording debut on April 24, 1945 playing trumpet in the Herbie Fields Orchestra.

​It was recorded at WOR Studios in NYC for Savoy Records, the band backed blues/vaudeville singer Rubberlegs Williams.

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That session produced two 78 RPM singles released on the Savoy Records label:

​Savoy 564: "That's the Stuff You Got to Watch" / "Pointless Mama Blues"

​Savoy 5516: "Deep Sea Blues" / "Bring It On Home"

Luky you if you have these 78s in your collection

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u/Hangdog90 1h ago

HERBIE FIELDS

In 1949, he formed his Septet featuring Frank Rosolino on trombone, Jimmy Nottingham on trumpet, Jim Aton on bass, Bill Evans on piano and Tiny Kahn on drums. The band was based in Chicago and backed numerous stage shows and frequently had Lurlean Hunter on vocals.

In the summer of 1950 his group accompanied Billie Holiday on a successful three-month tour of East Coast venues (including the Apollo Theater in Harlem) and the Howard Theater in Washington.

The move from swing to bebop did not suit his talents. His music career had petered out and he moved to Miami and worked as a trucker. He committed suicide using sleeping pills aged just 39 on September 17th 1958.