Introduction
Thamon Hayes (October 11, 1899—August 1, 1978) was an American Dixieland jazz trombonist and composer of the early Kansas City jazz scene.
He worked with Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra and co-composed many of the band's hits including "South" and the original 1927 version of "Moten Swing".
Life and career
Thamon Hayes was born on October 11, 1899.
He worked with Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra from the mid-1925s to 1931 and released many albums. At various times, he worked with the following members of the orchestra:
- Ben Webster (saxophone)
- Buster Moten (accordion)
- Count Basie (piano)
- Dan Minor (trombone)
- Ed Lewis (trumpet)
- Eddie Barefield (saxophone and clarinet)
- Eddie Durham (trombone)
- Harlan Leonard (clarinet and saxophone)
- Hot Lips Page (trumpet)
- Jack Washington (baritone and saxophone)
- Jimmy Rushing (vocals)
- Woody Walder (tenor saxophone and clarinet)
- Joe Keyes (trumpet)
- Lammar Wright (trumpet)
- Paul Webster (trumpet)
- Willie Mac Washington (drums)
In 1925, Moten's orchestra released "18th Street Strut" and "Things Seem So Blue To Me" (Okeh - 8242); "Tulsa Blues" and "Goofy Dust" (Okeh - 8184); and "Vine Street Blues" and "South" (Okeh - 8194).
In 1932, Hayes and clarinetist/saxophonist Harlan Leonard were dismissed from Moten's band when pianist Count Basie's musician replaced them. Hayes and Leonard then formed a new twelve-piece jazz band named "Kansas City Skyrockets" with trumpeters Ed Lewis, Richard Smith, and James Ross; trombonist Vic Dickenson; Moody Walder and Herman Walder (reeds); pianist Jesse Stone; guitarist Charles Goodwin; and drummer Baby Lovett (drums). After initial success, the Skyrockets disbanded in 1934 after disputes with the Chicago Federation of Musicians (local chapter of the American Federation of Musicians). Leonard took over the band naming it Harlan Leonard and his Rockets. Famed saxophonist Charlie Parker also played in Leonard's band for five weeks.
After that, Hayes formed a new band (name now known) and also ran a music store in Kansas City.
Hayes and Moten's famous composition of "South" was covered by many musicians in the following years, including Lawrence Welk And His Orchestra (1943), Kid Ory's Creole Jazz Band (1945), Graeme Bell And His Australian Jazz Band (1948), Pete Daily's Chicagoans (1949), and Bob Scobey's Frisco Band (1951).
Death
Hayes died on August 1, 1978, at age 78.