Sears And Zemanski

Born Lester Rallingston Collins, this trumpeter had already settled on the more casual stage name of Shad Collins when in his late teens he joined the band of Charlie Dixon, at that time featuring the remarkable vocalist Cora La Redd. From here he moved to a combo led by pianist Eddie White, staying with him for several years until hired by drummer Chick Webb's outfit in 1931. Throughout the '30s, the trumpeter worked with top-notch leaders, among them the superb arranger and reed player Benny Carter and the big bands of Don Redman and Count Basie. In 1940, he returned to the Carter camp, and was then associated with Freddie Moore and an excellent sextet led by tenor saxophonist Lester Young the following year.