Red Perkins
| Red Perkins | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Frank Shelton Perkins |
| Born |
December 26, 1890 Muchakinock, Iowa United States |
| Died | September 27, 1976 (aged 85) Minneapolis, Minnesota United States |
| Genres |
Jazz music Big band |
| Occupation(s) |
Bandleader Musician |
| Instruments | Trumpet |
| Labels | Gennett Records |
| Associated acts | Red Perkins and His Dixie Ramblers |
Frank Shelton "Red" Perkins (December 26, 1890 – September 27, 1976) was an African-American 1920s and 1930s era trumpet player, singer, and a bandleader of one of the oldest Omaha, Nebraska-based jazz territory bands, The Dixie Ramblers.
Perkins was born in Muchakinock, Iowa, a coal mining camp near Oskaloosa, Iowa. As an adult, Perkins moved from Oskaloosa to Fort Dodge, Iowa.
In 1917, Perkins moved with his wife and child to Omaha, Nebraska. He got a job as a porter at a barber shop and worked there from 1917 to 1925.
In 1923, Perkins took over the Omaha Night Owls jazz band and renamed them the Dixie Ramblers. Perkins based his band in Omaha's Near North Side. It was a small band with six players but several of the musicians doubled on different instruments. The Dixie Ramblers quickly grew into a medium-sized jazz territory band.
The National Orchestra Service booked the band from 1923 into the 1940s. In 1932, he joined with harmonica player O.P. Alexander and they performed on radio station WFAA until 1934. Perkins and his band were signed by RCA Victor in 1936 and later released music on Gennett Records. The band cut more than 250 sides of records. The band played in ballrooms, theaters, and hotels in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota, and North Dakota.
One of the Dixie Rambler's most famous songs was "Hard Times Stomp." The jazz band was known for its variety acts and floor shows.
Perkins' bookings were handled by National Orchestra Service of Omaha, Nebraska.
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Wikipedia