ArtistInfo

Skeets Tolbert

as, cl, sax, 1909-2000 US, Calhoun Falls, South Carolina
Musician of Jazz and Blues
A.k.a. Campbell Aurelius Tolbert

Campbell Aurelius "Skeets" Tolbert (February 14, 1909, Calhoun Falls, South Carolina - November 30, 2000, Houston, Texas) was an American jazz clarinetist, alto saxophonist, and bandleader.Tolbert grew up in Lincolntown, North Carolina, and studied at Johnson C. Smith University. He played in Dave Taylor's Dixie Serenaders from 1929, recording with them in 1931. In 1934 he moved to New York City, where he played with Charlie Alexander before joining the house band at the Savoy Ballroom. In 1936 he played with Fats Waller, then joined a band fronted by Olympic athlete Jesse Owens in 1937. Shortly afterwards he joined Snub Mosley's band and took control of it after Mosley's departure. Freddie Green, Kenny Clarke, Red Richards, Otis Hicks, Carl Smith and Lem Johnson all played in the band, wh

Instruments

• Alto sax
• Clarinet
• Saxophone

Genres

• Jazz
• Blues

Plays With