Paul Francis Webster (August 24, 1909 - May 6, 1966) was a jazz trumpeter in the big band era. He was a high-note specialist for Jimmie Lunceford's band, and later played in several other big bands.
Webster was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 24, 1909. [1] He attended Fisk University. [2]
Webster became a professional musician around 1927. [1] He played in bands led by George E. Lee (1927), Bennie Moten (1927–28), Paul Banks (1930), and Jap Allen (around 1930). [1] He joined Jimmie Lunceford's band in 1931, then moved to Tommy Douglas (around the same year), and vocalist Eli Rice (1933–34). [1]
Webster returned to Lunceford in 1935, [3] and became known as a high-note specialist. [1] He appeared on film in Jimmie Lunceford and His Dance Orchestra, which was made in 1936. [1] After leaving Lunceford in 1944, he joined Cab Calloway's band, and played with them on and off into the 1950s. [1] He was part of other bands in the same period, including those led by Charlie Barnet (1946–47, and 1952–53), Sy Oliver (1947), Eddie Wilcox, and Count Basie (1950). [1] He played part-time from 1953 into the 1960s. [1] Webster died in New York on May 6, 1966. [1]
With Jimmie Lunceford
With others