Eddie Durham, San Marcos’ native son and renowned jazz composer, arranger and performer, was celebrated in New York on Aug. 19th. Hosted by Grammy Award-winning jazz aficionado, Phil Schaap, the Eddie Durham 113th Birthday Broadcast was aired on Columbia University’s KCR FM from 12 to 3 p.m. EST.
Schaap describes Durham as “the most overlooked musical genius of the 20th Century,” and does his part to educate the public about his legacy — among other ways through annual birthday tributes. This year, Schaap’s broadcast featured original 78s and a few of Durham’s early recordings with the Bennie Moten Kansas City Orchestra.
Durham was born to a musical family on Aug. 19,1906, in San Marcos. He performed on both trombone and guitar, arranged all of the early Count Basie Orchestra repertoire and composed a lot it. He composed classic Blues such as "Sent For You Yesterday" and "Good Morning Blues." He is the father of the electric guitar and arranged "In The Mood" for Glenn Miller.
