Trumpeter Yank Lawson and bassist-composer Bob Haggart, while having separate careers, were musical friends and collaborators for nearly six decades. They came together during at least three extended periods to create exciting hot jazz, resulting in a countless number of magical musical moments.
John Rhea “Yank” Lawson was born in Trenton, Missouri on May 3, 1911. He started playing music on saxophones and piano before settling on the trumpet as a teenager. Lawson played in the University of Missouri Dance Band, was soon offered a job with Slatz Randall’s group (with whom he made his recording debut on “Mom” in 1932), and dropped out of college. He also had a stint with Wingy Manone before being hired to join Ben Pollack in late 1933.
When Lawson joined Pollack, the 22-year-old became part of a very promising band that already included such long-time associates as clarinetist Matty Matlock, tenor-saxophonist Eddie Miller, guitarist-singer Nappy Lamare, and drummer Ray Bauduc. Other members included Benny Goodman’s brother Harry Goodman on bass, lead trumpeter Charlie Spivak, and trombonist-singer Joe Harris.
This group had plenty of potential and should have quickly become one of the top jazz big bands of the time, competing with the Casa Loma Orchestra, the Dorsey Brothers, Jimmie
