Chu Berry

Chu Berry

259 fans

Leon "Chu" Berry grew up in a musical family, and studied alto saxophone at West Virginia Stage College for three years. On graduating in 1929, he obtained his first professional contract in Stammy Stewart's Chicago big band, as tenor saxophonist (1929-1931). He went on to play in the big bands of Benny Carter (1932-1933) and Teddy Hill (1933-1935). It was in Fletcher Handerson's big band (1935-1936) that he acquired a solid reputation, so much so that Cab Calloway asked him to join his orchestra as its first saxophonist (1937-1941). Unfortunately, Leon "Chu" Berry was killed in an automobile accident. Many musicologists point out that Leon "Chu" Berry was one of the three great tenor saxophonists of the swing era, after Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young. The story goes that his nickname "Chu", or more precisely "Chew", comes from the fact that Berry was always eating, and that to chew means "to chew, to brood". Berry feels particularly at home on the fast beats, developing a solidly constructed game that highlights his velocity.

Top tracks

13
High Society
Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra
The Complete Victor Lionel Hampton Sessions, Vol. 1
03:13
Composers: A.J. Piron - Clarence Williams

Playlists

Similar artists

  • Discography
Albums
Hard Edges, Clean Lines
2026 Agnes V
10-04-2026
Hard Edges, Clean Lines
01
Body and Soul
Chu Berry
Hard Edges, Clean Lines
03:54
Composers: Johnny Green - Edward Heyman - Robert Sour - Frank Eyton
02
Sittin' In
Chu Berry
Hard Edges, Clean Lines
02:14
Composers: Leon Brown Berry
03
Dream Girl, Pt. 1
Chu Berry
Hard Edges, Clean Lines
02:04
Composers: Leon Brown Berry
04
On the Sunny Side of the Street
Chu Berry
Hard Edges, Clean Lines
03:58
Composers: Jimmy McHugh - Dorothy Fields
05
Too Marvelous for Words
Chu Berry
Hard Edges, Clean Lines
02:58
Composers: Richard Whiting - Johnny Mercer
06
Chuberry Jam
Chu Berry
Hard Edges, Clean Lines
02:22
Composers: Leon Brown Berry
07
Monday at Minton's (What's It to You)
Chu Berry
Hard Edges, Clean Lines
02:59
Composers: Leon Brown Berry
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
The Columbia And Victor Sessions, Vol. 3
This compilation (P) 2019 Sony Music Entertainment
05-07-2019
The Columbia And Victor Sessions, Vol. 3
01
Floogie Walk (78rpm Version)
Cab Calloway & His Orchestra
The Columbia And Victor Sessions, Vol. 3
02:18
Writer: Ted Koehler - Rube Bloom / Composers: Ted Koehler - Rube Bloom
02
I Can Give You Love
Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra
The Columbia And Victor Sessions, Vol. 3
02:45
Writer: Lionel Hampton - Joseph June Evans / Composers: Lionel Hampton - Joseph June Evans
03
High Society
Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra
The Columbia And Victor Sessions, Vol. 3
03:13
Composers: A.J. Piron - Clarence Williams
04
Johnny Get Your Horn and Blow It
Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra
The Columbia And Victor Sessions, Vol. 3
03:11
Writer: Charles Hathaway - Walter Hirsch / Composers: Charles Hathaway - Walter Hirsch
05
Sweethearts on Parade
Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra
The Columbia And Victor Sessions, Vol. 3
03:01
Writer: Charles Newman - Carmen Lombardo / Composers: Charles Newman - Carmen Lombardo
06
Shufflin' at the Hollywood (Take 1)
Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra
The Columbia And Victor Sessions, Vol. 3
03:06
Composers: Lionel Hampton - Allan Reuss
07
Shufflin' at the Hollywood
Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra
The Columbia And Victor Sessions, Vol. 3
03:03
Composers: Lionel Hampton - Allan Reuss
Access the complete album info (50 songs)
The Columbia And Victor Sessions, Vol. 1
This compilation (P) 2018 Sony Music Entertainment
10-08-2018
The Columbia And Victor Sessions, Vol. 1
01
Blue Interlude (78rpm Version)
Chocolate Dandies
The Columbia And Victor Sessions, Vol. 1
03:25
Writer: Irving Mills - Manny Kurtz / Composers: Benny Carter
02
I Never Knew (Alternate Take)
Chocolate Dandies
The Columbia And Victor Sessions, Vol. 1
03:03
Composers: Ted Fio Rito - Gus Kahn
03
I Never Knew (78rpm Version)
Chocolate Dandies
The Columbia And Victor Sessions, Vol. 1
03:03
Composers: Ted Fio Rito - Gus Kahn
04
Once Upon a Time (78rpm Version)
Chocolate Dandies
The Columbia And Victor Sessions, Vol. 1
03:24
Writer: Carter - Simon Mills - Pease / Composers: Carter - Simon Mills - Pease
05
Krazy Kapers (78rpm Version)
Chocolate Dandies
The Columbia And Victor Sessions, Vol. 1
03:28
Writer: Donald Parker / Composers: Donald Parker
06
Do Your Duty (78rpm Version)
Bessie Smith
The Columbia And Victor Sessions, Vol. 1
03:25
Composers: W. Wilson
07
I'm Down In the Dumps (78rpm Version)
Bessie Smith
The Columbia And Victor Sessions, Vol. 1
03:10
Writer: L. Wilson - W. Wilson / Composers: L. Wilson - W. Wilson
Access the complete album info (51 songs)
The Columbia And Victor Sessions, Vol. 2
This compilation (P) 2018 Sony Music Entertainment
10-08-2018
The Columbia And Victor Sessions, Vol. 2
01
Now You're Talking My Language (78rpm Version)
Chu Berry & His Stompy Stevedores
The Columbia And Victor Sessions, Vol. 2
02:49
Writer: T. Koehler - S. Mitchell - S. Stept / Composers: T. Koehler - S. Mitchell - S. Stept
02
Back Home Again In Indiana (78rpm Version)
Chu Berry & His Stompy Stevedores
The Columbia And Victor Sessions, Vol. 2
02:45
Writer: Ralph MacDonald - Hanley / Composers: Ralph MacDonald - Hanley
03
Back Home Again In Indiana (Alternate Take)
Chu Berry & His Stompy Stevedores
The Columbia And Victor Sessions, Vol. 2
02:49
Writer: Ralph MacDonald - Hanley / Composers: Ralph MacDonald - Hanley
04
Too Marvelous for Words (Alternate Take)
Chu Berry & His Stompy Stevedores
The Columbia And Victor Sessions, Vol. 2
02:53
Writer: Johnny Mercer - R. Whiting / Composers: Johnny Mercer - R. Whiting
05
Too Marvelous for Words (78rpm Version)
Chu Berry & His Stompy Stevedores
The Columbia And Victor Sessions, Vol. 2
02:52
Writer: Johnny Mercer - R. Whiting / Composers: Johnny Mercer - R. Whiting
06
Limehouse Blues (Alternate Take)
Chu Berry & His Stompy Stevedores
The Columbia And Victor Sessions, Vol. 2
02:48
Writer: Philip Braham - Douglas Furber / Composers: Philip Braham - Douglas Furber
07
Limehouse Blues (78rpm Version)
Chu Berry & His Stompy Stevedores
The Columbia And Victor Sessions, Vol. 2
02:51
Writer: Philip Braham - Douglas Furber / Composers: Philip Braham - Douglas Furber
Access the complete album info (52 songs)
Tenor Giants
This Compilation ℗ 2000 GRP Records Inc.
01-01-2000
Tenor Giants
01
Smack
Coleman Hawkins
Tenor Giants
02:38
Writer: Leonard Feather / Composers: Leonard Feather
02
Smack , No.5
Coleman Hawkins
Tenor Giants
02:40
Writer: Leonard Feather / Composers: Leonard Feather
03
I Surrender Dear
Coleman Hawkins
Tenor Giants
04:34
Writer: Gordon Clifford / Composers: Harry Barris
04
I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me
Coleman Hawkins
Tenor Giants
04:10
Writer: Jimmy McHugh - Clarence Gaskill / Composers: Jimmy McHugh - Clarence Gaskill
05
I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me #2
Coleman Hawkins
Tenor Giants
04:19
Writer: Jimmy McHugh - Clarence Gaskill / Composers: Jimmy McHugh - Clarence Gaskill
06
Dedication
Coleman Hawkins
Tenor Giants
02:55
Composers: Leonard Feather
07
Esquire Bounce
Coleman Hawkins
Tenor Giants
03:12
Composers: Leonard Feather
Access the complete album info (20 songs)
Splits
The Very Best Cool Cats Collection of Jazz Trumpet, Vol. 8
20-03-2012
The Very Best Cool Cats Collection of Jazz Trumpet, Vol. 8
01
Honeysuckle Rose
Louis Armstrong
The Very Best Cool Cats Collection of Jazz Trumpet, Vol. 8
01:15
02
Mack the Knife (Live)
Louis Armstrong
The Very Best Cool Cats Collection of Jazz Trumpet, Vol. 8
03:22
03
The Jazzeroo (Live)
Bunny Berigan
The Very Best Cool Cats Collection of Jazz Trumpet, Vol. 8
03:20
04
Ad-Lib Blues (Live)
Bunny Berigan
The Very Best Cool Cats Collection of Jazz Trumpet, Vol. 8
13:05
05
St Louis Blues (Live)
Roy Eldridge
The Very Best Cool Cats Collection of Jazz Trumpet, Vol. 8
03:48
06
Basin Street Blues
Roy Eldridge
The Very Best Cool Cats Collection of Jazz Trumpet, Vol. 8
02:56
07
Mahogany Hall Stomp (Live)
Roy Eldridge
The Very Best Cool Cats Collection of Jazz Trumpet, Vol. 8
03:15
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The Very Best Cool Cats Collection of Jazz Trumpet, Vol. 7
13-03-2012
The Very Best Cool Cats Collection of Jazz Trumpet, Vol. 7
01
Hello Dolly (Live)
Louis Armstrong
The Very Best Cool Cats Collection of Jazz Trumpet, Vol. 7
02:28
02
Jelly Roll Blues
Louis Armstrong
The Very Best Cool Cats Collection of Jazz Trumpet, Vol. 7
02:45
03
You're Lucky to Me
Louis Armstrong
The Very Best Cool Cats Collection of Jazz Trumpet, Vol. 7
03:21
04
I'm Confessin'
Bunny Berigan
The Very Best Cool Cats Collection of Jazz Trumpet, Vol. 7
03:28
05
Little Jazz
Roy Eldridge
The Very Best Cool Cats Collection of Jazz Trumpet, Vol. 7
03:31
06
Shine (Live)
Roy Eldridge
The Very Best Cool Cats Collection of Jazz Trumpet, Vol. 7
04:07
07
Arcadia Shuffle (Live)
Roy Eldridge
The Very Best Cool Cats Collection of Jazz Trumpet, Vol. 7
02:25
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Gents of Jazz: Male Jazz Singers, Vol. 2
28-02-2012
Gents of Jazz: Male Jazz Singers, Vol. 2
01
Jitter Bug
Cab Calloway
Gents of Jazz: Male Jazz Singers, Vol. 2
03:08
02
There's a Cabin in the Cotton
Cab Calloway
Gents of Jazz: Male Jazz Singers, Vol. 2
03:28
03
Margie
Cab Calloway
Gents of Jazz: Male Jazz Singers, Vol. 2
03:07
04
Father's Got His Glasses On
Cab Calloway
Gents of Jazz: Male Jazz Singers, Vol. 2
03:07
05
Love and Happiness
Al Jarreau
Gents of Jazz: Male Jazz Singers, Vol. 2
03:08
06
Kissin' My Love
Al Jarreau
Gents of Jazz: Male Jazz Singers, Vol. 2
03:27
07
You Ought to Be With Me
Al Jarreau
Gents of Jazz: Male Jazz Singers, Vol. 2
03:08
Access the complete album info (20 songs)
Gents of Jazz: Male Jazz Singers, Vol. 1
21-02-2012
Gents of Jazz: Male Jazz Singers, Vol. 1
01
Hotcha Razz-Ma-Tazz
Cab Calloway
Gents of Jazz: Male Jazz Singers, Vol. 1
03:11
02
The Scat Song
Cab Calloway
Gents of Jazz: Male Jazz Singers, Vol. 1
02:44
03
Beale Street Mama
Cab Calloway
Gents of Jazz: Male Jazz Singers, Vol. 1
03:09
04
Long About Midnight
Cab Calloway
Gents of Jazz: Male Jazz Singers, Vol. 1
03:02
05
Lonely Town, Lonely Street
Al Jarreau
Gents of Jazz: Male Jazz Singers, Vol. 1
03:39
06
You
Al Jarreau
Gents of Jazz: Male Jazz Singers, Vol. 1
05:14
07
Grandma's Hands
Al Jarreau
Gents of Jazz: Male Jazz Singers, Vol. 1
01:53
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The Very Best Cool Cats Collection of Jazz Trumpet, Vol. 1
21-02-2012
The Very Best Cool Cats Collection of Jazz Trumpet, Vol. 1
01
Blueberry Hill (Live)
Louis Armstrong
The Very Best Cool Cats Collection of Jazz Trumpet, Vol. 1
03:15
02
The Hucklebuck
Louis Armstrong
The Very Best Cool Cats Collection of Jazz Trumpet, Vol. 1
04:22
03
Memories of You
Louis Armstrong
The Very Best Cool Cats Collection of Jazz Trumpet, Vol. 1
03:06
04
Mr Ghost Goes to Town
Bunny Berigan
The Very Best Cool Cats Collection of Jazz Trumpet, Vol. 1
02:57
05
Black Bottom
Bunny Berigan
The Very Best Cool Cats Collection of Jazz Trumpet, Vol. 1
03:44
06
Body and Soul
Roy Eldridge
The Very Best Cool Cats Collection of Jazz Trumpet, Vol. 1
01:51
07
Sweet Georgia Brown
Roy Eldridge
The Very Best Cool Cats Collection of Jazz Trumpet, Vol. 1
02:43
Access the complete album info (21 songs)
The Best of Swing with Louis Armstrong, Chuck Berry & Cab Calloway
23-11-2010
The Best of Swing with Louis Armstrong, Chuck Berry & Cab Calloway
01
King Porter Stomp
Louis Armstrong
The Best of Swing with Louis Armstrong, Chuck Berry & Cab Calloway
04:12
02
Panama Rag
Louis Armstrong
The Best of Swing with Louis Armstrong, Chuck Berry & Cab Calloway
03:48
03
Shame on You
Louis Armstrong
The Best of Swing with Louis Armstrong, Chuck Berry & Cab Calloway
02:35
04
Truckin'
Louis Armstrong
The Best of Swing with Louis Armstrong, Chuck Berry & Cab Calloway
02:45
05
Swing is Here
Louis Armstrong
The Best of Swing with Louis Armstrong, Chuck Berry & Cab Calloway
02:48
06
Tallahassee
Louis Armstrong
The Best of Swing with Louis Armstrong, Chuck Berry & Cab Calloway
02:36
07
Bye Bye Blues
Louis Armstrong
The Best of Swing with Louis Armstrong, Chuck Berry & Cab Calloway
02:51
Access the complete album info (17 songs)
Featured in
Count Basie: Swinging the Blues
℗ 2007 edel entertainment GmbH
31-05-2007
Count Basie: Swinging the Blues
01
Swinging The Blues: Honeysuckle Rose
Walter Page
Count Basie: Swinging the Blues
03:00
02
Swinging The Blues: Boogie Woogie (I May Be Wrong)
Walter Page
Count Basie: Swinging the Blues
02:51
03
Swinging The Blues: One O'Clock Jump
Walter Page
Count Basie: Swinging the Blues
03:03
04
Swinging The Blues: Topsy
Walter Page
Count Basie: Swinging the Blues
03:15
05
Swinging The Blues: Swinging The Blues
Walter Page
Count Basie: Swinging the Blues
02:48
06
Swinging The Blues: How Long Blues
Walter Page
Count Basie: Swinging the Blues
02:57
07
Swinging The Blues: Jive At Five
Walter Page
Count Basie: Swinging the Blues
02:51
Access the complete album info (18 songs)
Red Allen: Original 1933-1941 Recordings
℗ 2011 Ancha
03-05-2011
Red Allen: Original 1933-1941 Recordings
01
The River's Takin' Care of Me
Henry Red Allen
Red Allen: Original 1933-1941 Recordings
02:43
Writer: Stanley Adams / Composers: Jesse Greer
02
Believe It, Beloved
Henry Red Allen
Red Allen: Original 1933-1941 Recordings
03:12
Writer: George Whiting - Nat Schwartz / Composers: J.C. Johnson
03
We're Gonna Have Smooth Sailing
Henry Red Allen
Red Allen: Original 1933-1941 Recordings
02:54
Writer: Al Lewis - Milton Ager - Al Sherman / Composers: Al Lewis - Milton Ager - Al Sherman
04
Whose Honey Are You?
Henry Red Allen
Red Allen: Original 1933-1941 Recordings
02:46
Writer: Haven Gillespie / Composers: J. Fred Coots
05
Rosetta (Arr. H. Henderson)
Henry Red Allen
Red Allen: Original 1933-1941 Recordings
03:12
Writer: Earl Hines - Henri Woode / Composers: Earl Hines - Henri Woode
06
Body and Soul (Arr. H. Henderson)
Henry Red Allen
Red Allen: Original 1933-1941 Recordings
03:11
Writer: Edward Heyman - Robert Sour - Frank Eyton / Composers: Johnny Green
07
Frankie: Get Rhythm in Your Feet (Arr. H. Henderson)
Henry Red Allen
Red Allen: Original 1933-1941 Recordings
02:47
Writer: Bill Livingston - J. Russell Robinson / Composers: Bill Livingston - J. Russell Robinson
Access the complete album info (24 songs)
The Complete Victor Lionel Hampton Sessions, Vol. 1
This Compilation (P) 2007 Sony Music Entertainment
01-01-1993
The Complete Victor Lionel Hampton Sessions, Vol. 1
01
My Last Affair (Take 1)
Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra
The Complete Victor Lionel Hampton Sessions, Vol. 1
02:47
Writer: Haven Johnson / Composers: Haven Johnson
02
Jivin' the Vibres
Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra
The Complete Victor Lionel Hampton Sessions, Vol. 1
02:20
Composers: Lionel Hampton
03
The Mood That I'm In
Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra
The Complete Victor Lionel Hampton Sessions, Vol. 1
02:40
Writer: Abner Sherman - Al Silver / Composers: Abner Sherman - Al Silver
04
Hampton Stomp
Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra
The Complete Victor Lionel Hampton Sessions, Vol. 1
03:07
Composers: Lionel Hampton
05
Buzzin' Around with the Bee
Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra
The Complete Victor Lionel Hampton Sessions, Vol. 1
03:04
Writer: John Hancock / Composers: John Hancock
06
Whoa Babe
Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra
The Complete Victor Lionel Hampton Sessions, Vol. 1
02:51
Writer: Larry Clinton / Composers: Larry Clinton
07
Stompology
Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra
The Complete Victor Lionel Hampton Sessions, Vol. 1
02:59
Composers: Lionel Hampton
Access the complete album info (40 songs)
The Complete Decca Recordings
This Compilation ℗ 1992 The Verve Music Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
01-01-1992
The Complete Decca Recordings
01
Honeysuckle Rose
Count Basie And His Orchestra
The Complete Decca Recordings
02:57
Writer: Fats Waller - Andriamanantena Paul Razafinkarefo / Composers: Fats Waller - Andriamanantena Paul Razafinkarefo
02
Pennies From Heaven
Count Basie And His Orchestra
The Complete Decca Recordings
03:00
Writer: Johnny Burke / Composers: Arthur Johnston
03
Swinging At The Daisy Chain
Count Basie And His Orchestra
The Complete Decca Recordings
02:48
Writer: Count Basie / Composers: Count Basie
04
Roseland Shuffle
Count Basie And His Orchestra
The Complete Decca Recordings
02:30
Writer: Count Basie / Composers: Count Basie
05
Exactly Like You
Count Basie And His Orchestra
The Complete Decca Recordings
02:42
Writer: Jimmy McHugh - Dorothy Fields / Composers: Jimmy McHugh - Dorothy Fields
06
Boo Hoo
Count Basie And His Orchestra
The Complete Decca Recordings
02:23
Writer: Carmen Lombardo - Edward Heyman - John Jacob Loeb / Composers: Carmen Lombardo - Edward Heyman - John Jacob Loeb
07
The Glory Of Love
Count Basie And His Orchestra
The Complete Decca Recordings
02:31
Writer: William J. Hill / Composers: William J. Hill
Access the complete album info (63 songs)