Gene Sedric
b. 17 June 1907, St. Louis, Missouri, USA, d. 3 April 1963. Sedric began playing clarinet in local bands, later taking up the tenor saxophone, as well. His first important jobs were with Charlie Creath, Fate Marable and other bandleaders playing in the region and on the riverboats. In the early '20s he arrived in New York with a touring band and there joined Sam Wooding, with whom he visited Europe. In 1934, he became a member of Fats Waller's small group, remaining there until the leader's death in 1943. Subsequently he led his own small bands, also playing and recording with other leaders. In the early '50s he again visited Europe, playing with Mezz Mezzrow, Buck Clayton and others. In 1953 he joined a band led by Conrad Janis and at the end of the decade freelanced until ill-health forced him into retirement. Although he was not an exceptional performer on either instrument, Sedric fitted well into the cheerful music that Waller's accompanists offered. Thanks to this association he enjoyed a long and successful career.