Eddie Durham

Who was Eddie Durham?

Eduard "Eddie" Durham was an American jazz guitarist, trombonist, composer and musical arranger of the swing music medium born in San Marcos, Texas, probably best known for his work with musicians like Cab Calloway, Willie Bryant, Andy Kirk, Glenn Miller, Jimmie Lunceford and Count Basie, among others. He is the co-composer of the tune "Topsy", recorded by the Count Basie Orchestra and later by many others. He also was the arranger for Glenn Miller's "In the Mood". He is also credited for recording the world's first jazz electric guitar solo with a Gibson ES-150 guitar in 1938 on Lester Young's Kansas City Five sessions. Other electric guitars had been recorded that year by other players, including George Barnes with Big Bill Broonzy.