Herschel Evans

Life and career

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."

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 when he died He is also credited for influencing Illinois Jacquet and Arnett Cobb. Although not a prolific composer, Evans wrote a number of well known pieces, including "Texas Shuffle" and "Doggin' Around."

Death

Evans was a member of the 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

Evans didn't feel well enough to make the Basie's session with Decca on February 3, 1939; Chu Berry substitutes

Evans collapsed while performing a one-nighter on February 6, 1939, 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

Evans' body was transferred to Los Angeles and interred February 14, 1939, St. Valentine's Day, at Rosedale Cemetery.

Basie's recording session in New York with Decca on January 5, 1939, was Evan's final recording.

Orchestra memberships

Evans was a member of the following orchestras:

Smith Brothers Orchestra

Trent's Number Two — Evans performed with TNT in 1927

St. Louis Merrymakers — Evans performed when them around 1928

Edgar Battle

Terrence Holder

George Corley

Troy Floyd (1901–1953) and His Shadowland Orchestra, San Antonio — Evans performed with Floyd from 1929 to 1932

Lee Palmer

Mamie Smith (1883–1946)

Durham Brothers Orchestra

1. Joseph Durham, Jr. (brother), director, double bass, and tuba
2. Earl Durham (brother)
3. Roosevelt Durham (brother)
4. Eddie Durham (1906–1987) (brother)
5. Myrtle Durham (sister), piano
6. Allen Durham (cousin), trombone
7. Clyde Durham (cousin)

Ed Bailey Orchestra

Charles Echoles (né Charles Richard Echols; 1901–1957)

Bennie Moten — Evans performed with Moten from 1933 to 1935

Lionel Hampton — Evans performed for stints with Hampton in 1936

Buck Clayton — Evans performed for stints with Clayton in 1936

Count Basie — Evans performed with Basie from 1937 until his death

Selected compositions

"Doggin' Around"

Words and music by Edgar Battle and Herschel EvansCopyright September 19, 1938Class E (musical composition, unpublished) 177494Lewis Music Publishing Co., New York

"Texas Shuffle"

Words and music by Edgar Battle and Herschel Evans1st copy October 17, 1938Class E (musical composition, unpublished) 179121Lewis Music Publishing Co., New York

Edgar Battle sued Lewis Publishing Company in 1952 for failing to adequately promote songs that he published with them.