Doc cheatham biography

Adolphus Anthony Cheatham was better known as Doc Cheatham (June 13th 1905 – June 2nd 1997). He was a jazz trumpeter and singer. Cheatham had been a member of some of the most prominent jazz groups in the 1920s.

Doc cheatham & nicholas payton

His career was praised again in later decades. Cheatham also agreed with the criticism that he was the only jazz musician who created his greatest work after age 70. Cheatham was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Cheatham noted that there wasn’t jazz music in Nashville when he was a child.

He was first exposed to the style through early recordings and touring bands at the end of 1910s. His family had planned for him to become a pharmacist, but he decided to pursue music.

Doc cheatham biography

He started playing trumpet and soprano saxophone at Nashville’s African American Vaudeville theatre. Cheatham toured with blues singers on The Theater Owners Booking Association circuit. He was influenced by jazz musicians Henry Busse, Johnny Dunn and later King Oliver when he moved