Charlie Shavers

Noted for his bravura performances, Charles James Shavers is remembered as one of the most talented and energetic trumpet virtuosos of the big band era. He had music in his blood. His father was an accomplished master of the instrument, as was his older brother. The legendary Fats Navarro (1923-1950) was another relation, albeit a distant one. Charlie began on banjo and piano before being persuaded to switch to trumpet. He first gigged with minor bands in New York and Philadelphia after which followed stints with Tiny Bradshaw (1936), and, briefly, Lucky Millinder (1937). In November 1937, he joined the Sextet of John Kirby at the Onyx Club as arranger and trumpeter. At the time, this organisation was known as 'The Biggest Little Band in the Land', including among its lineup top musicians like Buster Bailey, Billy Kyle and Russell Procope. Shavers stayed for seven years during the heyday of the John Kirby Sextet, composing the jazz standard "Undecided" (which later became a hit for Ell