Crawford Wethington

• Genres: Jazz
• Instrument: Sax (Alto)

Biography

An early jazz saxophonist, Crawford Wethington's most significant musical associations were with trumpeter Louis Armstrong, and a popular dance band of the '30s, the Mills Blue Rhythm Band (named after its leader, impresario Irving Mills). Wethington learned to play in Chicago, studying at the Chicago College of Music. He performed around Chicago in the '20s with pianist Lottie E. Hightower's Night Hawks and violinist Carroll Dickerson's band. In 1929 Wethington backed Armstrong in New York as a member of Dickerson's group, which also included pianist Earl Hines. Thereafter he began playing with the Mills Blue Rhythm Band, performing and recording with them from 1930-36. In 1934, as a member of the Mills Blue Rhythm Band, Wethington appeared in a Vitaphone/Warner Bros. short film, Mills Blue Rhythm Band. Besides working as a performer, Wethington also taught music. After a stint with pianist/bandleader Edgar Hayes in 1937, Wethington stopped playing music full-time, though he continued to work as a teacher. During his career Wethington also worked with Cab Calloway, Adelaide Hall, and Henry "Red" Allen, among others. In the '60s, he worked as supervisor at a New York City transit system power facility. ~ Chris Kelsey, All Music Guide