Herschel Evans

• Name — Herschel Evans • Born — 9 March 1909 • Birthplace — Denton, Texas, U.S. • Died — 9 February 1939 • Place of death — New York City, U.S. • Genre — Jazz • Occupation — Musician • Instrument — Tenor saxophone • Years Active — 1920s–1939 • Past Member Of — Count Basie Orchestra

Evans was born in Denton, Texas, but spent some of his childhood in Kansas City, Kansas, where his cousin Eddie Durham was a trombonist and guitarist. Durham persuaded him to switch from alto to tenor saxophone, the instrument that ultimately established Evans's reputation. After perfecting his craft in the jam sessions held in the jazz district between Twelfth and Eighteenth streets in Kansas City, Evans returned to Texas in the 1920s and joined the Troy Floyd orchestra in San Antonio in 1929. He stayed with this territory band until it dispersed in 1932. Evans performed for a time with Lionel Hampton and Buck Clayton in Los Angeles, and in the mid-1930s returned to Kansas City to become a featured soloist in Count Basie's big band. For the next three years, Evans's prominence as a tenor saxophonist was at its peak, and he participated in musical duels with fellow band member Lester Young. Count Basie's "One O'Clock Jump" featured the contrasting styles of the two musicians and brought to each the praise of both critics and the general public. Evans's greatest single success was his featured solo on Basie's hit "Blue and Sentimental". A recently discovered recording of "Blue and Sentimental" by Basie's orchestra performing at the Famous Door jazz club features Evans on tenor saxophone and vocals by Helen Humes. Evans also made records with jazz musicians such as Harry James, Teddy Wilson, and Lionel Hampton. Evans has been credited with influencing fellow tenorist Buddy Tate – who, in 1939, came from the Nat Towles band in Omaha to replace Evans in the Basie band following Evans's death. He is also credited for influencing Illinois Jacquet and Arnett Cobb. Although not a prolific composer, Evans wrote "Texas Shuffle" and "Doggin' Around", among other pieces.

Evans was a member of the Count Basie Orchestra from September 1936 until his death. Evans became ill while playing with Basie at the Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C., sometime during the week from January 13 to January 19, 1939. He didn't feel well enough to make the Basie band's session with Decca on February 3; Chu Berry substituted. He collapsed while performing a one-nighter on February 6 with the Basie band at the Crystal Ballroom in Hartford, Connecticut; he was rushed to Wadsworth Hospital in New York City at 629 West 185th Street. Evans died February 9, 1939, at the age of 29 of heart disease in New York City while the Basie band was playing a one-nighter in Toledo, Ohio. His body was transferred to Los Angeles and interred on February 14, St. Valentine's Day, at Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery. Basie's recording session in New York with Decca on January 5, 1939, was Evans's final recording: • Count Basie and His Orchestra, Decca 2249 • Buck Clayton, Ed Lewis, Shad Collins, Harry Edison (trumpets); Dicky Wells, Dan Minor, Benny Morton (trombones); Earle Warren (alto sax); Herschel Evans, Lester Young (tenor saxes); Jack Washington (alto and bari sax); Count Basie (piano); Freddie Green (guitar); Walter Page (bass); Jo Jones (drums); Helen Humes (vocals) • Both numbers were arranged by Jimmy Mundy and Helen Humes sang on both • Recorded in New York, January 5, 1939 • 64851-A "My Heart Belongs to Daddy"; • 65852-A "Sing for Your Supper";

Herschel Evans is recorded as clarinetist, saxophonist and musician.