In Apr. 1971, altoist David Hutson heard veteran banjoist Dave Wilborn being interviewed on the radio. He was impressed by Wilborn's vitality but dismayed that he was forgotten and had not worked in music for 15 years. Since Wilborn (who also sang) was the last living survivor of McKinney's Cotton Pickers (one of the major jazz big bands of 1928-32), Hutson soon formed the New McKinney's Cotton Pickers which, like the original one, was initially based in Detroit. After a year of gathering together and transcribing Don Redman's original arrangements (along with other pieces from the era) and auditioning musicians, the orchestra was ready to play in public, starting in Sept. 1972. During its life the big band recorded three albums for the Bountiful label (during 1972-75). Although it generally used variations of the original charts, the solos were fresh and improvised within the style. Among the New McKinney's Cotton Pickers' key musicians were Wilborn (who stuck to taking occasional vocals), swing era altoist Ted Buckner, tenor-saxophonist George Benson (no relation to the guitarist!) and cornetists Paul Klinger and Tommy Saunders. ~ Scott Yanow., Rovi
