Swing-era tenor saxophonist
Greely Walton played under several well-known bandleaders beginning in the late '20s, including
Elmer Snowden,
Benny Carter,
Luis Russell,
Horace Henderson,
Cootie Williams, and
Cab Calloway.
Walton's first instrument was violin. He studied music at the University of Pittsburgh before embarking on a music career. Stints with
Snowden (1926) and
Carter (1929) were followed by a lengthy tenure with
Russell (1930-1937). During this time the
Russell band was occasionally fronted by trumpeter
Henry "Red" Allen; from 1935 the band served as
Louis Armstrong's backing group. After leaving
Russell,
Walton played with Vernon Andrade (1938),
Henderson (1941),
Williams (1942-1943, on bari sax), and
Calloway (1943-1945). He took over as musical director of the vocal group
the Ink Spots in 1945, remaining until 1947. He also played briefly with
Noble Sissle in the late '40s. After 1948 he played mostly with trumpeter/arranger
Sy Oliver, working in radio and television.
Walton retired from music in the mid-'50s. ~ Chris Kelsey