Herb Flemming
Encyclopedia
Herb Flemming or Fleming (April 5, 1898, Butte, Montana
– October 3, 1976, New York City
) was an American jazz
trombonist and vocalist who played extensively in Europe.
Flemming was born Nicolaiih El-Michelle, and was of North Africa
n descent. Flemming studied music and played mellophone
and euphonium
at Dobbs Chauncey School in Dobbs Ferry, New York
before switching to trombone. He was a member of James Reese Europe
's 15th New York National Guard Band with Eugene Mikell, and then Europe's 369th U.S. Infantry Band in France
in 1917. After the war, he also studied at the Frank Damrosch Conservatory in New York, playing cello there; later studied at the St. Cecilia Academy in Florence
and the University of Rome. He played with Fred Tunstall
in 1921 and recorded with Johnny Dunn
before joining Sam Wooding
and Bobby Lee's band in Philadelphia. Wooding left the U.S. to tour Europe in the mid-1920s, and Flemming continued to play with him Stateside when they returned in 1927. Late in the 1920s he joined Lew Leslie
's Blackbirds show, which toured London
and Paris
toward the end of the decade.
Around 1930 he formed his own band in Europe, the International Rhythm Aces, in addition to doing continued work with Wooding. They collaborated in Berlin
, then Flemming found work accompanying Josephine Baker
. He appeared in Buenos Aires
with his ensemble early in the decade. In 1933 he played in Paris
, and then made tour appearances in Calcutta, Shanghai
, and Ceylon. In the mid-1930s he also worked as a vocalist in Berlin (1935-37), and played with Sestto Carlin's Society Orchestra in Italy. In 1936 he interpreted for the U.S. at the Olympic Games
.
Flemming returned to the United States at the end of the 1930s to play with Earl Hines
, but was prevented from joining the band due to problems with the city musicians' union. He played with Fats Waller
in Cicero, Illinois
from 1940 to 1942, singing and playing trombone. After time playing with Noble Sissle
, he moved to California
and worked for the Internal Revenue Service
from 1943 to 1949. He occasionally appeared in films at this time, including Pillow to Post and No Time for Romance.
In 1949, he took a vacation to New York City
and elected to move there. He played freelance for a time, then under Red Allen
from 1953 to 1958. He moved to Spain
in 1964 and held residencies in Madrid
, Torremolinos
, and Malaga
; near the end of his life he recorded with Albert Nicholas
and Walter Bishop, Sr.
. After more time in Italy and Germany, he returned to the U.S. in 1976 and died shortly thereafter.
Butte, Montana
Butte is a city in Montana and the county seat of Silver Bow County, United States. In 1977, the city and county governments consolidated to form the sole entity of Butte-Silver Bow. As of the 2010 census, Butte's population was 34,200...
– October 3, 1976, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
) was an American jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
trombonist and vocalist who played extensively in Europe.
Flemming was born Nicolaiih El-Michelle, and was of North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
n descent. Flemming studied music and played mellophone
Mellophone
The mellophone is a brass instrument that is typically used in place of the horn in marching bands or drum and bugle corps....
and euphonium
Euphonium
The euphonium is a conical-bore, tenor-voiced brass instrument. It derives its name from the Greek word euphonos, meaning "well-sounding" or "sweet-voiced"...
at Dobbs Chauncey School in Dobbs Ferry, New York
Dobbs Ferry, New York
Dobbs Ferry is a village in Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 10,875 at the 2010 census.The Village of Dobbs Ferry is located in, and is a part of, the town of Greenburgh...
before switching to trombone. He was a member of James Reese Europe
James Reese Europe
James Reese Europe was an American ragtime and early jazz bandleader, arranger, and composer. He was the leading figure on the African American music scene of New York City in the 1910s.-Biography:...
's 15th New York National Guard Band with Eugene Mikell, and then Europe's 369th U.S. Infantry Band in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in 1917. After the war, he also studied at the Frank Damrosch Conservatory in New York, playing cello there; later studied at the St. Cecilia Academy in Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
and the University of Rome. He played with Fred Tunstall
Fred Tunstall
Fred Tunstall was a footballer who played for Sheffield United and England....
in 1921 and recorded with Johnny Dunn
Johnny Dunn
Johnny Dunn was an American traditional jazz trumpeter and vaudeville performer, who was born in Memphis, Tennessee. He is probably best known for his work during the 1920s with musicians such as Perry Bradford or Noble Sissle. In 1928, Dunn recorded four tracks with Jelly Roll Morton, and two...
before joining Sam Wooding
Sam Wooding
Sam Wooding was an expatriate American jazz pianist, arranger and bandleader living and performing in Europe and the United States.Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he led several big bands in the United States and abroad...
and Bobby Lee's band in Philadelphia. Wooding left the U.S. to tour Europe in the mid-1920s, and Flemming continued to play with him Stateside when they returned in 1927. Late in the 1920s he joined Lew Leslie
Lew Leslie
Lew Leslie was a Broadway writer and producer. Although white, he was the first impressario to present black artists on stage...
's Blackbirds show, which toured London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
toward the end of the decade.
Around 1930 he formed his own band in Europe, the International Rhythm Aces, in addition to doing continued work with Wooding. They collaborated in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, then Flemming found work accompanying Josephine Baker
Josephine Baker
Josephine Baker was an American dancer, singer, and actress who found fame in her adopted homeland of France. She was given such nicknames as the "Bronze Venus", the "Black Pearl", and the "Créole Goddess"....
. He appeared in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
with his ensemble early in the decade. In 1933 he played in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, and then made tour appearances in Calcutta, Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, and Ceylon. In the mid-1930s he also worked as a vocalist in Berlin (1935-37), and played with Sestto Carlin's Society Orchestra in Italy. In 1936 he interpreted for the U.S. at the Olympic Games
1936 Summer Olympics
The 1936 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was held in 1936 in Berlin, Germany. Berlin won the bid to host the Games over Barcelona, Spain on April 26, 1931, at the 29th IOC Session in Barcelona...
.
Flemming returned to the United States at the end of the 1930s to play with Earl Hines
Earl Hines
Earl Kenneth Hines, universally known as Earl "Fatha" Hines, was an American jazz pianist. Hines was one of the most influential figures in the development of modern jazz piano and, according to one source, is "one of a small number of pianists whose playing shaped the history of jazz".-Early...
, but was prevented from joining the band due to problems with the city musicians' union. He played with Fats Waller
Fats Waller
Fats Waller , born Thomas Wright Waller, was a jazz pianist, organist, composer, singer, and comedic entertainer...
in Cicero, Illinois
Cicero, Illinois
Cicero is an incorporated town in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 83,891 at the 2010 census. Cicero is named for the town of Cicero, New York, which in turn was named for Marcus Tullius Cicero, the Roman statesman and orator....
from 1940 to 1942, singing and playing trombone. After time playing with Noble Sissle
Noble Sissle
Noble Sissle was an American jazz composer, lyricist, bandleader, singer and playwright.-Early life:...
, he moved to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and worked for the Internal Revenue Service
Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service is the revenue service of the United States federal government. The agency is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury, and is under the immediate direction of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue...
from 1943 to 1949. He occasionally appeared in films at this time, including Pillow to Post and No Time for Romance.
In 1949, he took a vacation to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and elected to move there. He played freelance for a time, then under Red Allen
Red Allen
Henry James "Red" Allen was a jazz trumpeter and vocalist whose style has been claimed to be the first to fully incorporate the innovations of Louis Armstrong.-Life and career:...
from 1953 to 1958. He moved to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
in 1964 and held residencies in Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
, Torremolinos
Torremolinos
Torremolinos is a municipality on the Costa del Sol of the Mediterranean, immediately to the west of the city of Málaga, in the province of Málaga in the autonomous region of Andalusia in southern Spain...
, and Malaga
Málaga
Málaga is a city and a municipality in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, Spain. With a population of 568,507 in 2010, it is the second most populous city of Andalusia and the sixth largest in Spain. This is the southernmost large city in Europe...
; near the end of his life he recorded with Albert Nicholas
Albert Nicholas
Albert Nicholas was an American jazz reed player.Nicholas's primary instrument was the clarinet, which he studied with Lorenzo Tio in his hometown of New Orleans. Late in the 1910s he played with Buddy Petit, King Oliver, and Manuel Perez...
and Walter Bishop, Sr.
Walter Bishop, Sr.
Walter Bishop Sr. was a Jamaican composer and songwriter. His Swing, Brother, Swing was recorded by Billie Holiday with Count Basie, among other performers. His calypso, Sex is a Misdemeanor, continues to be recorded. Other songs written by Bishop, Sr...
. After more time in Italy and Germany, he returned to the U.S. in 1976 and died shortly thereafter.