Instrument: Reeds (Multiple), Sax (Tenor), Sax (Alto)
Biography
Although not the first jazz flute soloist (Albert Soccarras preceded him by five years), Wayman Carver was virtually the only flutist to be featured on swing records in the 1930s. He picked up early experience playing with J. Neal Montgomery's band. In 1931, he settled in New York, where he recorded with Dave Nelson. After a stint with Elmer Snowden (1931-1932), he joined Benny Carter and recorded with Spike Hughes in 1933, taking some of his best solos. Carver was with Chick Webb's band during 1934-1939 (mostly playing in the sax section), but was well-featured on four 1937 titles by Chick Webb and his Little Chicks, a quintet matching his flute with Chauncey Haughton's clarinet. Carver remained with the orchestra as it continued under Ella Fitzgerald's leadership after Webb's death (1939-1941), and then eventually settled in Atlanta as a professor of music at Clark College; among his students were George Adams and Marion Brown. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
