LESTER BOONE

Instruments: Alto Sax, Clarinet, Baritone Sax
Date of Birth: December 8, 1904
Place of Birth: Tuskegee, Alabama

Studied with Professor Tuttle at Illinois College of Music. Played club dates in and around Chicago, then joined trumpeter Alex Calemese at Jeffery Tavern, Chicago during same year worked with Charlie Elgar. Later worked with Clarence Black, Carroll Dickerson, Earl Hines (1930), Jerome Carrington, and Louis Armstrong (from March 1931). Left Louis in March 1932, remained in New York, worked with Kaiser Marshall's Band and Billy Maples, then joined the Mills Blue Rhythm Band (1933). During 1934 with Eubie Blake's Orchestra and Willie Bryant, then a spell at Savoy, New York, with Hy Clark's Band. with Kaiser Marshall's Band from May 1935. In 1936 worked with Jelly Roll Morton and Jean Calloway, with Cliff Jackson in 1937. With Hot Lips Page and Eddie South (in New York and Chicago) during the late 1930s. In 1940 led own band at Hollywood Club, New York a spell with Leon Abbey, then led own quartet at 44 Club, New York. From 1948 through the 1960s has led own small group at Harvey's and at the Lucky Bar in New York.

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