Bumps Myers

A fine swing tenor player influenced by Coleman Hawkins, Bumps Myers, who occasionally played alto and baritone, had many interesting musical experiences during his career although he never gained much fame outside of the Los Angeles area. Myers became a professional musician in 1929 when he was 17 and freelanced around L.A. including with Curtis Mosby. Myers played in Shanghai with Buck Clayton's big band (1934-36) and Teddy Weatherford, and in L.A. with Lionel Hampton and Les Hite. Myers was part of the short-lived Lee and Lester Young band from 1941-42, had two stints with Jimmie Lunceford in 1942 and 1945, and worked with Benny Carter off and on during 1943-48, Benny Goodman in 1947 and Red Callender from 1952-54. He appeared at several mid-1940s Jazz at the Philharmonic concerts and in countless settings (many commercial) during the 1950s, including with Harry Belafonte in 1958. After touring with Horace Henderson from 1961-62, Myers retired due to ill health. Myers, who recorded with Sid Catlett in 1945, only led six obscure titles in 1949 for the Selective and RPM labels. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi