Dates

• Existence: 1919 - May 10, 1997
• Existence: 1919 - 1997-05-10

Biography

Bernard "Step-Buddy" Hartwell Anderson (October 14, 1919-May 10, 1997) was an African American jazz musician born in Oklahoma City, OK to Matthew Anderson and Gussie Shaw. His older brother, also a jazz fan, played alto saxophone. Anderson was introduced to various brass instruments, especially the bugle, while a member of the Boy Scouts. He began taking violin lessons at the age of seven. He was a member of the Douglas High School marching and jazz bands under the leadership of Zelia M. Breaux, Oklahoma City music teacher and inspiration to Anderson. In 1934, in one of his first professional opportunities, Anderson played with the Ted Armstrong band in Clinton, Oklahoma. In the late 1930s he was a member of the Xavier University jazz band in New Orleans.

In 1939 Anderson returned to Oklahoma City and joined the Leslie Sheffield band that included Charlie Christian and Hank Bridges. The next year he left Oklahoma for the Kansas City jazz scene and became trumpeter for the Jay McShann band. Nationally known by 1942, McShann's band included several widely touted instrumentalists, including Charlie Parker on alto saxophone. Anderson remained with McShann until the World War II draft broke up the group. He then moved from one band to another before joining the Billy Eckstine Orchestra in 1944. Shortly thereafter, Anderson contracted tuberculosis and returned to Oklahoma City. After recovery from the disease, he was medically advised to abandon the trumpet and switched to piano. Anderson influenced numerous jazz trumpeters, including Dizzy Gillespie and Fats Navarro.

Anderson died May 10, 1997.

Source:

Carney, George O. “Anderson, Bernard Hartwell (1919-1997).” Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History & Culture. Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma State University. 2007. Accessed 4 November 2009. http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/A/AN004.html

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