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{{More sources|date=June 2022}}{{Infobox musical artist
⚫
'''Vernon Ford Story''' (1922–2007) was an American jazz [[tenor saxophonist]].
| name = Vernon Story
| birth_name = Vernon Ford Story
| birth_date = November 16, 1922
| birth_place = [[New Iberia, Louisiana]], U.S.
| death_date = April 20, 2007 (aged 84)
| death_place = [[Rio Vista, California]], U.S.
| genre = [[Jazz]]
| instruments = [[Tenor saxophone]]
}}


⚫
'''Vernon Ford Story''' (November 16, 1922 – April 20, 2007) was an American jazz [[tenor saxophonist]].
==Biography==
⚫
Vernon Ford Story, Jazz tenor saxophonist, was born in New Iberia, Louisiana, USA on November 16, 1922. He was encouraged to take up the clarinet as a child by his uncle, [[Clarence Toddhttp://www.allmusic.com/artist/clarence-todd-mn0000133236|Clarence Todd]], a professional composer and pianist. Todd wrote music for and performed with many artists, including Louis Armstrong, clarinet player Sidney Bechet and pianist Fats Waller.


==Early life==
⚫
Story’s family moved to New York in 1930 and by his early teens he was playing the tenor saxophone with his friends. They formed many small bands and played at local venues in and around Harlem.
⚫
Story was born in [[New Iberia, Louisiana]]. He was encouraged to take up the clarinet as a child by his uncle, [Clarence Toddhttp://www.allmusic.com/artist/clarence-todd-mn0000133236 Clarence Todd], a professional composer and pianist. Todd wrote music for and performed with many artists, including [[Louis Armstrong]], clarinet player [[Sidney Bechet]], and pianist [[Fats Waller]].


⚫
Story’s family moved to [[New York City]] in 1930 and by his early teens, he was playing the tenor saxophone with his friends. They formed many small bands and played at local venues in and around [[Harlem]].
In 1946 Rex Stewart, who had just left the Duke Ellington Band, put together a small orchestra to tour Europe as guests of the Hot Club de France. The members were:
* Ted Curry on [[Drum kit|drums]]
* Don Gais on [[piano]]
* John Harris on [[alto sax]] and [[clarinet]]
* Bill Houston on [[Bass (instrument)|bass]]
* [[Rex Stewart]] on [[cornet]]
* '''Vernon Story''' on [[Tenor saxophone|tenor sax]]
* [[Sandy Williams]] on [[trombone]].


== Career ==
They visited Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland making many recordings between 1946 and 1949, including one of Story’s signature tune – "Vernon’s Story" and another of his compositions, "Storyville." Their first concert was at the Salle Pleyel in Paris. They toured major cities Marseilles, Bordeauz and Toulouse, Lyons and Lille. They also played in smaller towns such as Bézier, Carcassonne and Montauban - about 45 Hot Clubs in all.
In 1946, Rex Stewart, who had just left the Duke Ellington Band, put together a small orchestra to tour Europe as guests of the [[Hot Club de France]]. Members included [[Rex Stewart]] on cornet and [[Sandy Williams]] on trombone. The group visited [[Denmark]], [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Sweden]], and [[Switzerland]]. They also made many recordings between 1946 and 1949, including one of Story’s signature song, "Vernon’s Story" and another of his compositions, "Storyville." Their first concert was at the [[Salle Pleyel]] in Paris. They toured major cities Marseilles, Bordeauz and Toulouse, Lyons and Lille. They also in [[Béziers]], [[Carcassonne]], and [[Montauban]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Coleman |first=Bill |url=https://books.google.gr/books?id=gMS-DAAAQBAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA166&dq=Vernon+Story+Rex+Stewart+tour&hl=en&redir_esc=y |title=Trumpet Story |date=2016-07-27 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-1-349-09981-8 |language=en}}</ref>


Story and some of the other musicians stayed on in Paris while Rex Stewart went to Germany, though he joined him there for venues in Berlin. Story played with many of the Jazz greats in Paris, including one of his favorite musicians, guitarist [[Django Reinhardt]]. Story arranged venues for subsets of the original band in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo and Zurich. He also made a cameo appearance as an American Jazz player in a Swedish thriller movie - "Kvinnan Som Försvann". The Swedish National Jazz Archivist, Jens Lindgren, tracked Story down in 2005 and recorded details of his career.
Story and some of the other musicians stayed on in Paris while Rex Stewart went to Germany, though he joined him for venues in [[Berlin]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lord |first=Tom |url=https://books.google.gr/books?id=NLwzAQAAIAAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&dq=Boy+Meets+Horn+Vernon+Story&q=Boy+Meets+Horn+Vernon+Story&hl=en&redir_esc=y |title=The Jazz Discography |date=1992 |publisher=Lord Music Reference |isbn=978-1-881993-18-6 |language=en}}</ref> Story played with notable jazz musician in Paris, including guitarist [[Django Reinhardt]]. Becoming a well-known figure in the Paris jazz community, Story inspired the name of a character in a novel by [[Boris Vian]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Craven |first=Alice Mikal |url=https://books.google.gr/books?id=P4teDwAAQBAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA166&dq=%22Vernon+Story%22+jazz&hl=en&redir_esc=y |title=Visible and Invisible Whiteness: American White Supremacy through the Cinematic Lens |date=2018-06-01 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-3-319-76777-2 |language=en}}</ref> Story arranged venues for subsets of the original band in [[Copenhagen]], [[Stockholm]], [[Oslo]], and [[Zürich]]. He also made a cameo appearance as an American jazz player in a Swedish thriller movie, ''Kvinnan Som Försvann''.


The Rex Stewart Band, including Story, played at the first [[Nice Jazz Festival]] in Nice, France in 1948, probably the first formal International Jazz Festival. Headliners and fellow musicians that he reminisced of included family friend [[Louis Armstrong]] and English jazz musician, broadcaster and musicologist [[Humphrey Lyttelton]].
The Rex Stewart Band, including Story, played at the first [[Nice Jazz Festival]] in 1948, probably{{Dubious|date=June 2022}} the first formal international jazz festival. Headliners and fellow musicians that he reminisced of included family friend [[Louis Armstrong]] and English jazz musician, broadcaster and musicologist [[Humphrey Lyttelton]].


Story moved back to the booming tourist center of Atlantic City, NJ in late 1948, playing solo and also with his own band. [[Count Basie]], who had become a friend when they met during the tour to Europe, often visited him whilst playing gigs in Atlantic City. When interest in the [[Bebop]] genre declined Story moved his family to Irvington, NY to focus on family life. He played occasional sessions there and in Pleasantville, NJ before leaving the professional music business and moving to Palo Alto, CA in 1992.
Story moved back to the booming tourist center of [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]], in late-1948, playing solo and also with his own band. [[Count Basie]], who had become a friend when they met during the tour to Europe, often visited him whilst playing gigs in Atlantic City.


== Personal life ==
⚫
Vernon Ford Story died in his sleep early on the morning of Friday, April 20, 2007 in Rio Vista, California, USA. He was 84. Story had combated prostate cancer for many years but he remained strong and active until the final few months of his illness.
When interest in the [[Bebop]] genre declined, Story moved with his family to [[Irvington, New York]]. He played occasional sessions there and in [[Pleasantville, New Jersey]], before leaving the professional music business and moving to [[Palo Alto, California]], in 1992.

⚫
Story died in his sleep early on April 20, 2007 in [[Rio Vista, California]]. He was 84.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vernon Story |url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0832745/ |access-date=2022-06-25 |website=IMDb}}</ref> Story had combated prostate cancer for many years but he remained strong and active until the final few months of his illness.


==Selected discography==
==Selected discography==
Line 40: Line 46:
* "Swing Classics" - ET 13 - [[Hot Lips Page]] 1951/[[Rex Stewart]] 1947.
* "Swing Classics" - ET 13 - [[Hot Lips Page]] 1951/[[Rex Stewart]] 1947.


==References==
==Known Compositions==
<references />
* "Storyville"
* "Vernon's Story"

==Bibliography==
* "Boy Meets Horn", Rex Stewart, {{ISBN|1-871478-75-8}} - Documents the European tour.

==Filmography==
* [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041568/fullcredits#cast Kvinnan Som Försvann (1949)] - Genre: Crime. Vernon Story appears in one of the jam session scenes.

==Related pages==

=== Genres===
* [[Bebop]]
* [[Jazz]]
* [[Musician]]

===Jazz Musicians===
* [[Louis Armstrong]]
* [[Count Basie]]
* [[Sidney Bechet]]
* [[Duke Ellington]]
* [[Humphrey Lyttelton]]
* [[Django Reinhardt]]
* [[Rex Stewart]]
* [[Sandy Williams]]
* [[Fats Waller]]

===Jazz Societies and Communities===
* [[Harlem]]
* [[Hot Club de France]]—Note, this documents a group of musicians, not the original society of Jazz enthusiasts.
* [http://www.hot-club.asso.fr/docum/photos/photos.html Hot Club de France Gallery] - Includes a photo of Vernon Story.

===Saxophonists===
* [[List of jazz saxophonists]]
* [[List of saxophonists]]

==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.answers.com/topic/clarence-todd Clarence Todd]
* [http://www.answers.com/topic/clarence-todd Clarence Todd]

Revision as of 06:05, 25 June 2022

Vernon Story
Birth nameVernon Ford Story
BornNovember 16, 1922
New Iberia, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedApril 20, 2007 (aged 84)
Rio Vista, California, U.S.
GenresJazz
InstrumentsTenor saxophone

Vernon Ford Story (November 16, 1922 – April 20, 2007) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist.

Early life

Story was born in New Iberia, Louisiana. He was encouraged to take up the clarinet as a child by his uncle, [Clarence Toddhttp://www.allmusic.com/artist/clarence-todd-mn0000133236 Clarence Todd], a professional composer and pianist. Todd wrote music for and performed with many artists, including Louis Armstrong, clarinet player Sidney Bechet, and pianist Fats Waller.

Story’s family moved to New York City in 1930 and by his early teens, he was playing the tenor saxophone with his friends. They formed many small bands and played at local venues in and around Harlem.

Career

In 1946, Rex Stewart, who had just left the Duke Ellington Band, put together a small orchestra to tour Europe as guests of the Hot Club de France. Members included Rex Stewart on cornet and Sandy Williams on trombone. The group visited Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland. They also made many recordings between 1946 and 1949, including one of Story’s signature song, "Vernon’s Story" and another of his compositions, "Storyville." Their first concert was at the Salle Pleyel in Paris. They toured major cities Marseilles, Bordeauz and Toulouse, Lyons and Lille. They also in Béziers, Carcassonne, and Montauban.[1]

Story and some of the other musicians stayed on in Paris while Rex Stewart went to Germany, though he joined him for venues in Berlin.[2] Story played with notable jazz musician in Paris, including guitarist Django Reinhardt. Becoming a well-known figure in the Paris jazz community, Story inspired the name of a character in a novel by Boris Vian.[3] Story arranged venues for subsets of the original band in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, and Zürich. He also made a cameo appearance as an American jazz player in a Swedish thriller movie, Kvinnan Som Försvann.

The Rex Stewart Band, including Story, played at the first Nice Jazz Festival in 1948, probably[dubious – discuss] the first formal international jazz festival. Headliners and fellow musicians that he reminisced of included family friend Louis Armstrong and English jazz musician, broadcaster and musicologist Humphrey Lyttelton.

Story moved back to the booming tourist center of Atlantic City, New Jersey, in late-1948, playing solo and also with his own band. Count Basie, who had become a friend when they met during the tour to Europe, often visited him whilst playing gigs in Atlantic City.

Personal life

When interest in the Bebop genre declined, Story moved with his family to Irvington, New York. He played occasional sessions there and in Pleasantville, New Jersey, before leaving the professional music business and moving to Palo Alto, California, in 1992.

Story died in his sleep early on April 20, 2007 in Rio Vista, California. He was 84.[4] Story had combated prostate cancer for many years but he remained strong and active until the final few months of his illness.

Selected discography

  • "Buzz Bomb" - Vernon Story and His Tenor Sax accompanied by Rex Stewart Orchestra - Dial Records 755-B - 78 RPM. Probably recorded in 1946.
  • "I Giganti Del Jazz No. 47" ("Giants of Jazz") - Vernon Story, Johnny Harris, Rex Stewart and Sandy Williams.
  • "Jazz In Paris, Champs-Élysées, Vol. 1. 1917 to 1949"
  • "Rex Stewart - 1946-1947" - Rex Stewart Orchestra
  • "Ellingtonia" - Rex Stewart Orchestra - Dial 215 - Recorded December 9 and 10, 1947 - Includes Django Reinhardt
  • "Rex Stewart - 1948-1949" - Rex Stewart Orchestra - The first track is "Vernon's Story".
  • "Rex Stewart Memorial Album." - Black Panther B.LP. 001 [reissued as Prestige 728 and SV 2006].
  • "Boy Meets Horn / Don't Get Around Much Anymore" - Rex Stewart and His Orchestra - Blue Star.
  • "Be-Bop Boogie / Just Squeeze Me" - Rex Stewart and His Orchestra - Blue Star.
  • "Be Bop Boogie / I Cried For You" - Rex Stewart and His Orchestra - Blue Star.
  • "Americans In Sweden" - 1951 - Tracks 8-13 with Ted Curry, John Harris, Honey Johnson and Sandy Williams.
  • "Django Reinhardt Et Le Quintette Du Hot Club De France" - Tracks B5 & B6.
  • "Swing Classics" - ET 13 - Hot Lips Page 1951/Rex Stewart 1947.

References

  1. ^ Coleman, Bill (2016-07-27). Trumpet Story. Springer. ISBN 978-1-349-09981-8.
  2. ^ Lord, Tom (1992). The Jazz Discography. Lord Music Reference. ISBN 978-1-881993-18-6.
  3. ^ Craven, Alice Mikal (2018-06-01). Visible and Invisible Whiteness: American White Supremacy through the Cinematic Lens. Springer. ISBN 978-3-319-76777-2.
  4. ^ "Vernon Story". IMDb. Retrieved 2022-06-25.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vernon_Story&oldid=1094892551"