Nicknames
Adderley, Julian Edwin --- Cannonball
Actually, Adderley's original nickname was "Cannibal" because of his eating
habits. "Cannonball" is merely a bastardization of "Cannibal" and is still a good fit.
Ammons, Gene --- Jug
Not sure why the tenor saxophonist was called "Jug." If you know the source of
this nickname, please let us know. A reader says that Gene was called "Jug"
because he could drink anyone under the table.
Armstrong, Louis --- Dipper Mouth, Satchel Mouth, Satchmo, Gate
King Oliver and other early jazz musicians called Louis "Dipper Mouth" or "Satchel
Mouth", presumably because of his large mouth. Early in the thirties, Louis visited
England and was given his trademark handle "Satchmo" when British fans heard
the "Satchel Mouth" tag incorrectly. Billie Holiday called him "Pops." Gate was also
used to designate Armstrong at some point.
According to Louis' own book "Satchmo, My Life In New Orleans" reprinted by Ace
Books in 1957 (originally published 1955), "Dipper...(that was my nickname short for Dippermouth, from the piece called Dippermouth Blues)". It would
appear that the name was given to him after the tune which he evidently liked
when he was very young. -Bruce Barnett
Baker, Chesney H. --- Chet
Chet was probably just a derivation of the Cool trumpeter's first name. If his
parents didn't bestow this nickname on Chet, he probably did himself at an early
age.
Basie, William --- Count
In his autobiography, "Good Morning Blues," he writes that he wanted to become
part of the "jazz royalty of the time" - among them Duke Ellington, King Oliver,
Earl Hines and Baron Lee - so he took the name 'Count.' This was in the late
1920s.
Beiderbecke, Leon --- Bix
As an astute reader puts it, "Bix's real name was Leon Bix Beiderbecke. That is
well documented in the Bix Beiderbecke "bible" by Sudhalter et al: "Bix - man and
legend". In that book there is a discussion of several pages and a photo of his
death attest, where his real name is written.
The name Bismarck came from his father, who somethimes was named Bix,
perhaps that´s thereason why Bix was christianed Bix."
Berry, Leon --- Chu
Chu Berry resembled a character from a musical called "Chu Chin Chow."
Bertholoff, William Henry Joseph Berthol Bonaparte --- Willie "the Lion"
Smith
Willie Smith was probably used to shorten the extremely long name. "The Lion"
was bestowed because of Willie's forceful manner.
Or, as another reader puts it: he was called "The Lion" because of his devotion to
Israel.
Blakey, Art --- Bu
Art Blakey was sometimes called "Bu," which was short for his Muslim name,
Abdullah Ibn Buhaina.
Bolden, Charles --- Buddy
"Buddy" Bolden was reputed to be the first Jazz cornetist. If you know where this
nickname came from, let us know.
Breitenfeld, Paul --- Paul Desmond
Desmond reportedly picked his name out of a phone book.
Brown, Clarence --- Gatemouth
Gatemouth was obviously derived from "Gator" mouth. "Alligator" was what jazz
musicians called each other prior to adopting to "cat". "Hey Gate!" was a common
salutation.
Brown, Clifford --- Brownie.
It is no great mystery why Clifford Brown was called "Brownie."
Byrd, Henry Roeland --- Professor Longhair, Fess, Roy
Not sure why this colorful New Orleans pre-rock pianist was called "Professor
Longhair." "Fess" was a shortened form of "Professor Longhair" and "Roy"
probably came from Roeland.
Clayton, William --- Buck
Clayton's nickname was given to him by his mother in reference to his African
American ancestors according to a reader.
Coltrane, John --- Trane
Coltrane's nickname, "Trane", was a shortening of his last name.
Davis, Eddie --- Lockjaw
It is rumoured that Eddie was heavily "endowed." Possibly he caused a few cases
of "Lockjaw" amongst his admirers?
Davis recorded a few titles named after more or less incommodating diseases in
the late 1940's. "Lockjaw" was later shortened to "Jaws." -Dirk Ludigkeit
Dodds, Warren --- Baby
New Orleans drummer Warren Dodds may have been called "Baby" because he
was six years younger than his brother clarinetist Johnny Dodds.
Dorham, McKinley --- Kinny / Kenny
McKinley Dorham was originally nicknamed "Kinny" but this usually got misheard
as Kenny. This is how it started to appear in record labels when he started
recording. If you check lps he's on you can see the struggle over Kinny vs. Kenny.
-Jonathan Fox
Edison, Harry --- Sweets
Trumpeter Edison was reputedly given the nickname "Sweets" by fellow Basie
band member Lester Young. We're not sure why Lester called Harry "Sweets", but
"The Pres" was notorious for bestowing nicknames.
I've recently read that Lester called Harry "Sweets" because Harry had a way with
words and with music.
Eldridge, Roy --- Little Jazz
Trumpeter Eldridge received this nickname as a result of his diminutive size.
Ellington, Edward Kennedy --- Duke
The young Edward Ellington was called "Duke" by his friends and family because
of his ducal manner and his natty dressing.
Evans, William --- Lateef, Yusef
Another Bill Evans. Sounds like a great trivia question!
Filipelli, Joseph Edward --- Flip Phillips
I suspect that Flip's nickname derived from his name.
Fitzgerald, Ella --- First Lady of Song
This was her nickname because she truly was the "First Lady of Song."
Gaillard, Bulee --- Slim
Not sure why this guitarist (a member of the popular "Slim and Slam" duo of the
late thirties and the forties) was called "Slim." Was he thin? Let us know.
Gillespie, John Birks --- Dizzy
Gillespie acquired the nickname "Dizzy" early in his career because of his "off-thewall" antics both onstage and off. During the bop period, while others were acting
"cool", Gillespie was still acting "Dizzy" and very showman-like.
Gonsalves, Paul --- Mex
Ellington tenor sax player Gonsalves was mistakenly called "Mex" by some people
who believed that this descendant of Cape Verdeans was Mexican.
Goodman, Benny --- King of Swing
Benny was called the "King of Swing" because of his tremendous success and fan
following in much the same way that Elvis was dubbed the "King."
Green, Freddie --- Father Time
For the rock-solid beat he gave to the Count Basie band.
Green, Ian Ernest Gilmore --- Gil Evans
Gil once did an album named "Svengali." It had a credit line that said "Anagram
by Gerry Mulligan." Svengali, of course, is GIl Evans, rearranged. It's the most
original album credit in jazz, with the possible exception of Phil Woods's credit line
that said "embouchure by" and then gave the name of his dentist.
Hampton, Locksley Wellington --- Slide
This trombone player, tuba player and composer from Indianapolis was probably
called "Slide" because he played trombone at an early age.
Hanna, Roland -- Sir Roland Hanna
It's not a nickname; he came by his aristocraic title legitimately. After leading a
benefit tour in Africa for young African students, he was knighted in 1970 by the
late president of Liberia, William Tubman.
Hawkins, Coleman --- Bean, Hawk
The "Hawk" nickname is obviously a shortening of Hawkins. "Hawk" was also
known as "Bean" but we don't know why. Do you? A reader says that the "Bean"
tag was bestowed because of Hawkins intellect.
One of the Classics CD liner notes tells of one time in the late 30s, when Hawkins
was playing in England as a featured player for the Jack Hilton (Hylton?)
orchestra, and had been quoted, I guess in Melody Maker, claiming that a good
player should be able to improvise in any key. The band members surrepticiously
played a tune ONE HALF TONE lower, moving it from an easy sax key to a very
tough one. Hawkins, coming in for his solo, realized what was going on almost
instantly, delivered a respectable solo, and NEVER MENTIONED IT afterwards.
Here's another take on "Bean." The story is that some cats looked at hs eyes and
said that they look like some beans after they had soaked in some water prior to
cooking. Beans swell in standing water. Hence, his eyes look like swollen beans.
I've heard this story on more than one occasion.
And how about this one?
Hawkins was called "Bean" because he came from Boston or "Beantown", as it
was known. apparently, people in Boston use dto eat a lot of beans with brown
bread.
Lester Young once called Hawkins "The First President." Although this is not
technically a nickname, it is interesting and worth a mention.
Henderson, Fletcher --- Smack
Someone out there please tell us why this mild mannered bandleader was called
"Smack." A reader suggests that "Smack" is slang for heroin and that Henderson's
laid back manner earned him the nickname.
Another reader states he smacked his lips when he ate.
Herman, Woodrow Charles --- Woody
Bandleader Herman's nickname was obviously a derivation of his first name.
Hines, Earl --- Fatha
Earl acquired this nickname because of his kind temperament. Many musicians
felt that they could confide in him and tell him their problems and personal
feelings.
Quite aside from his undoubted value as a mentor, Hines was an old guy (in his
forties in the forties) who wore a toupe. -- Steve Danby
Hinton, Milt --- Judge
Because it fits his longevity, professional stature and the personal respect in
which he is universally held.
Hodges, Johnny --- Jeep, Rabbit
Johnny Hodges was known as Jeep and Rabbit. Don't know the source of either.
Another reader observes that Jeep came from the "Popeye" cartoon strip.
According to Harry Carney, Hodges was called Rabbit because he loved lettuce
and tomato sandwiches. -Dirk Ludigkeit. Another reader suggests that "Rabbit"
resulted from Hodges quick trips up to a room and back at brothels.
This is somewhat scatological, but I have it on the authority of a guy who used to
house some of the Ellington band members when they came through Baltimore
Way Back When that Johnny Hodges got the nickname Rabbit because when the
boys would visit a house of ill-repute, Hodges would (to put it as nicely as I can)
go upstairs and only minutes later would come back down.
Jackson, Milt --- Bags
Milt admitted that he got his nickname, Bags, from the temporary furrows under
his eyes incurred by a drinking binge after his release from the Army.
Johnson, James Louis --- J.J.
J.J. used to sign his compositions with only his first and last initials (i.e., [J]ames
[J]ohnson). This eventually stuck as a nickname. However, it is no longer a
nickname, as he had his name officially changed in 1970.
Jones, Joseph --- Philly Joe
Philadelphia drummer Philly Joe Jones was given this nickname to distinguish him
from Basie drummer Jo Jones.
Kirnon, Conrad --- Connie Kay
At Birdland one night, em cee Pee Wee Marquette had trouble pronouncing Kirnon
and simply introduced Connie Kay.
La Menthe, Ferdinand Joseph --- Jelly Roll Morton
Jelly Roll's father, F. P. La Menthe, left home early in Jelly's youth and his mother
remarried to a man named Morton. Hence, the name Morton. The "Jelly Roll"
portion of the nickname has sexual connotations, and comes from early in his
career when he was a pimp and a hustler as well as a musician.
Lewis, Meade --- Lux
As a child, Meade "Lux" Lewis was called "The Duke of Luxembourg" from the
comic strip "Alphonse and Gaston."
Professor Longhair & other "professors"
"Professor" or "Fess" was generally given to teachers / mentors. "Longhair" is
what jazz musicians used to call classical music, because of the long hair of
Paderewski & other male artists. But it also refers to someone who knows his stuff
- a theorist or a great inventor. -- Steve Danby
Massaro, Salvatore --- Eddie Lang, Blind Willie Dunn
Eddie Lang was probably just an attempt to Americanize. Blind Willie Dunn was an
attempt to Bluesify (to coin a word).
McKay, Eleanor Gough --- Billie Holiday, Lady Day
Eleanor McKay was her legal name after her father left, but Eleanor took her
father's last name and the nickname "Billie." We are not sure where the "Billie"
handle came from. Her good friend, saxophonist Lester Young called her "Lady
Day" because of his tremendous respect for her and because he thought her
every inch a lady.
Miley, James --- Bubber
We're not sure why the Ellington trumpeter was called Bubber. If you know, let
us.
Mulligan, Gerry --- Jeru
Gerry Mulligan's Jeru came from his name.
Nanton, Joseph --- Tricky Sam
Ellington trombonist Joe Nanton was nicknamed "Tricky Sam" by Otto Hardwicke.
This nickname probably reflects Nanton's prowess as a trombonist and his ability
to apply Bubber Miley's trumpet wa-wa effects to trombone. (Original entry.)
I can't remember who gave Nanton that nickname, but it was NOT because of his
skill with the plunger mute. Nanton had perfected a technique of drinking onstage without anyone noticing. -Dirk Ludigkeit
Navarro, Theodore --- Fats or Fat Girl
Bop trumpeter Navarro received the nickname "Fat Girl" because he was
somewhat overweight and effeminate. "Fats" was derived from "Fat Girl."
As I understand it, Fats Navarro was called Fat Girl because he had a high-pitched
voice, not because he was effeminate.
Newman, David --- Fathead
No, it wasn't because his head was fat. Sax player Newman was given this
nickname by his music teacher after he fumbled an arpeggio.
Norvo, Red and Bailey, Mildred --- Mr. and Mrs. Swing
Even though "Red" is obviously a nickname, that is not what this entry is about.
The nickname "Mr. and Mrs. Swing" is unique because it refers to more than one
person. It was bestowed on Red and Mildred because there was no more swinging
(in the music sense) couple than they were during their marriage.
Oliver, Joseph --- King
Oliver was dubbed "King" because he was literally the "King" of early New Orleans
jazz cornet players.
Page, Oran --- Hot Lips
Trumpeter Oran Page was called the "Hot Lips" because of his hot Armstrong-like
trumpet playing.
Parker, Charlie --- Bird, Yardbird
Early in his career, Charlie was dubbed "Yardbird" because of his love for chicken.
The nickname stuck and was eventually shortened to "Bird." (Original entry.)
According to one version, he and his band (including employer Jay McShann)
were driving to town when a chicken ran out into the road. Upon hitting the bird,
Charlie got out, picked it up and took it all the way to their destination to get it
cooked up. Hence, the musicians called him Yardbird, which was later shortened
to "Yard" or "Bird".
Peterson, Oscar --- Josh
Powell, Earl --- Bud
Not sure why the Bop pianist was called "Bud." Let us know if you know why.
Prestopnk, Irving --- Irving Fazola
Irving Fazola took the name Fazola from the the notes Fa, So and La of the tonic
scale. Thus, Fa-So-La or Fa-Zo-La.
Pridgett, Gertrude Melissa Nix --- Ma Rainey
In 1902 she married the song and dance man William "Pa" Rainey on stage she
was billed as Ma Rainey. They had a minstrel act called Ma & Pa Rainey.
Reinhardt, Jean Baptiste --- Django
Not sure why the virtuoso guitarist was called "Django." If you know, let us know.
A reader points out that "Django" is the Gypsy name for Jean.
Rogers, Milton M. --- Shorty (real name Milton Rajonsky)
I'm guessing that the trumpeter was called "Shorty" because of his stature.
Rollins, Theodore Walter --- Sonny, Newk
Not sure why Rollins was called "Sonny." He got the nickname "Newk" because of
his resemblance to Dodgers' pitcher Don Newcombe.
Rushing, Jimmy --- Mister Five-by-Five
It was Jimmy's body build that caused people to call him "Mister Five-by-Five."
Sims, Jack --- Zoot
Sims became known as "Zoot" after he stood behind a music stand with the word
zoot painted on it.
Sinatra, Frank --- Old Blue Eyes
Pop Jazz singer Sinatra was called "Old Blue Eyes" for obvious reasons.
Smith, Buster --- Professor
We're not sure why this alto saxophonist was called "professor", but we do know
that he was one of Charlie Parker's mentor's. Maybe that's why.
Smith, Jimmy --- Cat
Smith, Leroy Gordon --- Stuff
The Jazz fiddle genius earned the nickname "Stuff" because he was bad with
names and addressed people as "Hey, Stuff!"
Smith, Willie --- The Lion
The story usually attached to "the Lion" handle was that during World War One,
when Smith was in the artillery, he stood by his gun through shot and shell and
thus earned his nickname for his bravery. Whether any of this is true I cannot
verify. -Jonathan Fox
Stewart, Leroy --- Slam
Not sure why this bassist (a member of the popular "Slim and Slam" duo of the
late thirties and the forties) was called "Slam." If you know, let us know.
Strayhorn, Billy --- Sweetpea
Billy got this nickname from the famous "Popeye" cartoon strip. Otto Hardwicke
may be responsible for bestowing it.
Or the appellation may have come from the fact that he was pretty openly gay,
which was somewhat rare in those days (and circles).
Teagarden, Jack --- Big Gate
At one point in the history of Jazz, "gate" was synonymous with a Jazz musician.
Thus, "Big Gate" was a good nickname for the trombonist.
Teagarden, Charlie --- Little Gate
Since Jack was "Big Gate," it was natural that Charlie should be called "Little
Gate."
Torme, Mel --- The Velvet Fog
Singer Torme was given this nickname because of his velvety singing voice.
Trumbauer, Frank --- Tram
This clarinet playing straight man sidekick of Bix Beiderbecke was called "Tram"
because of his last name. "Tram" was surprisingly named by Lester Young as one
of his strongest influences in a 1950's interview.
Turner, Joe --- Big Joe
Kansas City blues shouter "Big Joe" Turner received this nickname because of his
large size.
Vinson, Eddie --- Cleanhead or Mr. Cleanhead.
Saxophonist Eddie Vinson was called "Cleanhead" for his bald pate (Original
entry.)
Vinson was the victim of a substance called "conk" used by African Americans to
straighten their hair in those days. The solution tended to get extremely hot and
"Cleanhead" couldn't leave it on his head long enough to do what it was supposed
to do, so he started trying to get it out and patches of his hair came with it. Since
he had to go to work that evening and had no desire to wear a bandana or
handkerchief on his head, he shaved off what was left. The band members had a
ball with the epithets and the sobriquet "Cleanhead" stuck.
Another version courtesy of Axel Melhardt: While Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson
worked at my club JAZZLAND in Vienna, Austria in the 70-ies I found him one
morning at the hotel in front of the mirror shaving his head. He told me that after
his big hit "Folks call me Mr.Cleanhead" he had to upkeep his bald head for the
rest of his life in order to get gigs. Up until his early death he had full hair (with
little white patches) which grew only on his days off stage.
Waller, Thomas --- Fats
There is no mystery to the nickname "Fats" which was given to the rotund stride
pianist Thomas Waller.
Webster, Ben --- Frog, The Brute
Ben Webster was known as Frog, I think because of his somewhat bulging eyes.
Williams, Charles Melvin --- Cootie
We don't know why Ellington trumpeter Charles Melvin Williams was called
"Cootie". If you do, let us know.
Young, Lester Willis --- Pres, The President
Lester's nickname "Pres" or "The President" comes from his good friend Billie
Holiday who thought that he was, indeed, the "president" of saxophone players.