Text

theses

Booker Little, a masterful trumpeter and composer, passed away in 1961 at the age of twenty-three. Little's untimely death, and still yet extensive recording career, presents yet another example of early passing among innovative and influential trumpeters. Like Clifford Brown before him, Theodore “Fats” Navarro before him, Little's death left a gap the in jazz world as both a sophisticated technician and an inspiring composer. However, unlike his predecessors Little is hardly – if ever – mentioned in jazz texts and classrooms. His influence is all but non-existent except to those who have researched his work. More than likely he is the victim of too early a death: Brown passed away at twenty-five and Navarro, twenty-six. Bob Cranshaw, who is present on Little's first recording, remarks, “Nobody got a chance to really experience [him]...very few remember him because nobody got a chance to really hear him or see him.” Given this, and his later work with more avant-garde and dissonant harmonic/melodic structure as a writing partner with Eric Dolphy, it is no wonder that his remembered career has followed more the path of James P. Johnson. He has become an academic discussion rather than jazz idol. Despite this lack of awareness, by the general public, his sound, compositional focus and improvisational awareness remain purely his own. Although unknown to some, once heard he is not easily forgotten. This thesis will serve as an exploration into both the personal and professional life of Booker Little. Each chapter has been designed to outline major sign posts in his life. Beginning with his home and family this thesis will trace Little’s professional career through to his death. Each major division in this thesis represents the next stepping stone in Little’s career with special emphasis on his later albums as a band leader and his recording partnership with Eric Dolphy. Transcriptions and analyzations of his recordings can be found throughout this thesis in the hope of creating a better understanding of his playing as well as a timeline of his maturation as a composer and trumpeter. Also included in this thesis are historical documents, interviews, a discography and bibliography all intended to create the best understanding possible of Little and his work.

ETD_8290

M.A.

Includes bibliographical references

by Dylan LaGamma

doi:10.7282/T3NZ8BQ7

ETD graduate

The author owns the copyright to this work.