1. Herschel "Tex" Evans was an American tenor saxophonist who was a member of the Count Basie Orchestra.
10 Facts About Herschel Evans
1. 2.
Herschel Evans is known for starting his cousin Joe McQueen's interest in the saxophone.
3.
Herschel 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.
4.
Herschel Evans stayed with this territory band until it dispersed in 1932.
5.
Herschel 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.
6.
Herschel Evans made records with jazz musicians such as Harry James, Teddy Wilson, and Lionel Hampton.
7.
Herschel Evans is credited for influencing Illinois Jacquet and Arnett Cobb.
8.
Herschel Evans was a member of the Basie Orchestra from September 1936 until his death.
9.
Herschel Evans became ill while playing with Basie at the Howard Theatre in Washington, DC, sometime during the week from January 13 to January 19,1939.
10.
Herschel 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.