Red Young

Band History

Red Young was born in Fort Worth, Texas. He grew up with a classical background, listening to everyone from Van Cliburn (whom he met at age 11) to Ray Charles, B.B. King, Lightnin' Hopkins, as well as Fort Worth natives Delbert McClinton, Ray Sharpe, King Curtis and Freddy King. He accompanied vocalists, choirs, played in bands and in general grew up with a well-rounded musical education.

Upon leaving high school, Red attended North Texas State in Denton, then went on the road with trumpeter Clyde McCoy's band (who recorded Sugar Blues in 1927 and worked thoughout the Big Band era), which, among other things, alternated sets with the Supremes at the Steel Pier in Atlantic City and performed on the Johnny Carson show from New York. Since it was 1968, Red joined the Air Force Band instead of getting drafted, and he was stationed first in Wichita Falls, Texas; then Ramstein, Germany; and finally Springfield, Massachusetts.

In Springfield, Red learned a great deal about arranging for big band and horn sections, and he formed a Chicago/Blood, Sweat & Tears group which played concerts all over New England. During this time, Red started playing the Hammond B3 Organ. Upon discharge in 1972, he stayed around the New England area, traveling with an organ trio - Hammond B-3, drums and saxophone. On Monday nights, he would venture to New York to see the famed Thad Jones/Mel Lewis band play at the Village Vanguard, which further fueled his interest in big band music.

In recent years, Red has become one of the driving forces behind the comeback of swing music. In fact, Red played piano and wrote arrangements for Big Bad Voodoo Daddy when they were first gaining national popularity. To this day, Red continues his career as arranger and performer with Red and the Red Hots and has his own 24 track studio in which he records not only his own projects but with his many friends throughout the industry.

In 2006, he moved to Austin where he started the Austin Jazz Artists.

Information from the artist's site

Members

• Red Young lead vocals, organ, vocals

Sound Description

Swanky swingin' jazz