Big Sid Catlett

Sidney “Big Sid” Catlett (b. Evansville, January 17, 1910 – d. Chicago, Illinois, March 25, 1951) – Drummer. Known as Louis Armstrong’s drummer of choice, “Big Sid” Catlett learned his craft as a child in Chicago, where he started playing professionally in 1928. A move to New York in 1930 led to engagements over the next eight years with the bands of Benny Carter, McKinney’s Cotton Pickers, Fletcher Henderson (when he re-organized in 1935), and Don Redman. In the last phase of his career, Catlett enjoyed two stints with Louis Armstrong (1938-1942 and 1947-1949). He also played briefly in the interim with the Duke Ellington Band and the Benny Goodman Band. During his short hitch with the Goodman Band around 1942, Catlett brought it back to the swinging band it had been before drummer Gene Krupa left in 1938. Although primarily a swing drummer, he also played Dixieland with Armstrong and recorded in the new bebop style with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie in 1945. In fact, Catlett is the drummer on the landmark recordings of "Salt Peanuts" and "Hot House" on Guild Records.