13 Facts About Sy Oliver

Melvin James "Sy" Oliver was an American jazz arranger, trumpeter, composer, singer and bandleader.

Sy Oliver was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, United States.

Sy Oliver left home at 17 to play with Zack Whyte and his Chocolate Beau Brummels and later with Alphonse Trent.

Sy Oliver sang and played trumpet with these bands, becoming known for his "growling" horn playing.

Sy Oliver continued singing for the next 17 years, making many recordings when he was with Jimmie Lunceford and with his own band.

Sy Oliver sang with The Sentimentalists on the 1944 recording of his arrangement of "Chicago".

Sy Oliver arranged and conducted many songs for Ella Fitzgerald from her Decca years.

In 1933, Sy Oliver joined Jimmie Lunceford's band as a trumpet player, arranger and songwriter.

Sy Oliver was co-arranger with pianist Ed Wilcox; Oliver primarily taking the up-tempo numbers, Wilcox the ballads.

Sy Oliver then became one of the first African Americans with a prominent role in a white band when he joined Tommy Dorsey.

Sy Oliver's joining was instrumental in Dorsey luring several jazz players, including Buddy Rich, to his band.

Sy Oliver left Dorsey after seven years, in 1946, and began working as a freelance arranger and as music director for Decca.

Sy Oliver continued that gig until 1984, with occasionally time off to make festival or other dates, including at the Roseland Ballroom in New York.