Ol’ Man Depression

Abstract In October 1929, the Wall Street stock market crash initiated widespread economic depression. The entertainment world in Harlem was not immediately impacted but would be in the early 1930s. Webb interacted with Baltimore musicians who came to New York: Blanche Calloway, who was a star singer in Chicago clubs, and her then-unknown younger brother Cab. In 1930, Cab’s breakthrough performance in New York led to fronting the Missourians; they appeared with Webb’s band at the Savoy and other places. In 1931, the Cotton Club’s gangster owners hired Cab Calloway and the Missourians to succeed Duke Ellington’s band. Chick Webb and His Orchestra were busy through most of 1931 after a few weeks at the Roseland Ballroom. Webb, Henderson, and other Harlem bandleaders traded musicians or raided each other’s bands. In one instance, dubbed “The Big Trade,” alto saxophonist Benny Carter and trombonist Jimmy Harrison were “traded” to Webb’s band from Henderson’s for alto saxophonist Russell Procope and trombonist Benny Morton. On March 31, 1931, Webb’s band recorded three tunes, arranged by Benny Carter for Vocalion, all of which got good reviews. In October 1931, Webb’s band and Blanche Calloway’s band went on tour with Bennie Moten’s band and two others for a five-band roving “Battle of Music.” Chick Webb and His Orchestra were now frequently covered by the Black press.