When Dan Morgenstern and I had concluded our first series of video interviews, he reminded me that we hadn’t spoken of Charlie Shavers, and I was also eager to do this when we met for a second time. Charlie was an extraordinary trumpeter, arranger, and singer — someone not celebrated in this century as he deserves.
Why stardom seems to come naturally to one artist and not another is mysterious, but I hope that Dan’s wise, affectionate, and first-hand recollections will help people rediscover Mister Shavers:
“Smother me!” Charlie with the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra and Louis Bellson:
This is why sound film was invented, so that we could see and hear Charlie and Sidney Catlett have a delightful conversation — also John Kirby, Billy Kyle, Buster Bailey, and Russell Procope (or is it Charlie Holmes?) in 1947:
and late in life with Ben Webster, playing some “dirty blues”:
and the quartet that Dan referred to:
Previous interview segments with Dan can be found here. And there are more to come.
May your happiness increase!
JAZZ LIVES 
Michael, Thanks for these remembrances of Charlie Shavers…a blithe spirit indeed, and what a trumpeter!
Thanks for more of Dan’s recollections, his Charlie Shavers were funny, whimsical, and delightful. I also loved your examples of Charlie’s music and Ben Webster, as well. Ravishing, Michael.
I recall that Charlie died a few days after Louis in 1971 and as a consequence his passing was overlooked somewhat.
I can well imagine that he could have played any music he wished to on trumpet including Bach. Incredible chops.