Sidney "Big Sid" Catlett was an American jazz drummer.
12 Facts About Sid Catlett
2.
Sid Catlett was born in Evansville, Indiana, United States, and at an early age he was instructed in the rudiments of piano and drums, under the tutelage of a music teacher hired by his mother.
3.
When he and his family relocated to Chicago, Sid Catlett received his first drum kit, and immersed himself in the diverse styles and techniques of Zutty Singleton, Warren "Baby" Dodds, and Jimmy Bertrand, among others.
4.
In 1928, Sid Catlett began playing with violinist and clarinet player Darnell Howard, before joining pianist Sammy Stewart's Orchestra in New York City, and making appearances at the Savoy Ballroom.
5.
Between 1938 and 1942, Sid Catlett was Louis Armstrong's drummer of choice as he was regularly featured in Armstrong's big band, while periodically joining Benny Goodman's group.
6.
Sid Catlett was one of the few drummers to successively transition into bebop, appearing on Dizzy Gillespie's progressive recordings in 1945.
7.
Sid Catlett participated in the Gillespie-Charlie Parker segment of a New Jazz Foundation June 1945 concert at New York's Town Hall; a recording surfaced in 2005.
8.
Sid Catlett appeared on screen in the 1944 film Jammin' the Blues, but, as was common practice then, the soundtrack was not recorded during filming.
9.
Catlett's son Sid was a professional basketball player, and played in the NBA.
10.
Sid Catlett was known as a tasteful, steady, supportive player who aimed to integrate his sound into that of the entire group.
11.
Sid Catlett had a feeling for embellishment, for what you were doing in your solo, that made it seem like he knew what you were going to play before you did yourself.
12.
Sid Catlett's solos were known for giving the appearance of being highly structured, involving thematic variation and embellishment, and for the use of sudden, unexpected silences and a wide range of dynamics.