Eddie Durham (1906-87) was a unique and multi-talented musician.

He was a top-notch swing trombonist, a creative big band arranger-composer, and a pioneering electric guitarist who recorded a year before Charlie Christian.

Among his compositions were “Topsy” and “I Don’t Want To Set The World On Fire,” and he worked and arranged for such big bands as that of Bennie Moten, Count Basie and Jimmie Lunceford.

This tribute to Durham has excerpts of interviews from such admirers as Phil Schaap, Loren Schoenberg, Sarah McLawler, Lawrence Lucie, Benny Powell, Al Grey and Illinois Jacquet plus some brief moments from performance films.

Click here to learn more about Eddie Durham

-Scott Yanow