One of the most colorful trombonists of all time,
Tricky Sam Nanton's expertise with the plunger mute (emitting a large assortment of growls and colorful tones) was a major part of
Duke Ellington's original sound and has rarely been duplicated since (although
Quentin Jackson sometimes came close). He gained early experience playing with bands led by
Cliff Jackson and
Elmer Snowden, and recorded with
Thomas Morris, but after mid-1926
Nanton was only heard with
Duke Ellington's orchestra and small groups; he never led a record date of his own.
Nanton made for a perfect team with trumpeter
Bubber Miley and, when
Miley was replaced by
Cootie Williams in 1929,
Nanton helped to inspire the younger trumpeter to build on
Miley's role. He was well featured on many classic recordings (including "East St. Louis Toodle-oo" and "Black and Tan Fantasy") and was a major attraction with
Ellington up until his premature death in 1946. ~ Scott Yanow