Chick Webb (1905-1939)
Chick Webb was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1909. His young childhood was filled with frustration and despair for at a young age he was diagnosed with spinal tuberculosis that left his use of his legs minimal. To relieve his stiff joints, he began to play the drums. At the age of 17 he moved to New York so he could play the drums for various musicians. In 1927, however, he created his own band, the Harlem Stompers. The Harlem Stompers would perform at the Savoy, one of the largest night clubs. From there , Webb created the Chick Webb orchestra. Webb was disabled in the music world due to his inability to read music, but he lead the band anyways with his memorized tunes. Webb was a major competitor during this swing era of music until his death in 1939 of his childhood illness of spinal tuberculosis. He was 34. To hear Stompin' at the Savoy, click this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgX5_waK--w