Saxophonists · 1903–1978

Happy Caldwell

American jazz clarinetist and saxophonist (1903-1978)

Born: 25 July 1903
Chicago
Died: 29 December 1978
New York City
Country: United States
Active: 1918–

Biography

Happy Caldwell was a jazz musician who played saxophone and clarinet. Happy Caldwell was born on 25 July 1903 in Chicago and died on 29 December 1978 in New York City. The music is usually filed under jazz.

Albert W. "Happy" Caldwell (sometimes incorrectly spelled Cauldwell) (July 25, 1903 in Chicago – December 29, 1978 in New York City) was an American jazz clarinetist and tenor saxophonist. Caldwell began on clarinet at age 16, playing in the Eighth Illinois Regimental Band and soon after in an Army band. He studied to be a pharmacist but eventually gave up his medicinal studies for jazz. He worked with Bernie Young early in the 1920s in Chicago, where he recorded for the first time in 1923. Around this time he also began doubling on tenor saxophone. In the middle of the 1920s he played with Mamie Smith's Jazz Hounds, Bobby Brown's Syncopaters, Elmer Snowden, Billy Fowler, Thomas Morris, Willie Gant, and Cliff Jackson. In 1929, he recorded with Louis Armstrong. In the 1930s, Caldwell played with Vernon Andrade, Tiny Bradshaw, and Louis Metcalfe, and led his own band, the Happy Pals, in the middle of the decade.

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