00:01 Allison Miner introduces Doc Cheatham. Michael White is going to conduct the interview. 02:00 Cheatham says he is born in Nashville, Tennessee, June 13th 1905. Then, he explains the origin of his nickname “Doc”. Cheatham was supposed to go to Meharry Medical College, as several members of his family, before deciding to become a musician. 03:40 Michael White asks him how he got started in music. Cheatham explained he never had music lessons until he joined Cab Calloway’s band in 1931. He talks also about his stay in Germany between 1928 and 1930 where he studied music everyday by himself. He says he learned a lot listening other musicians. 05:00 Michael White and Cheatham talk about the fact that Doc also plays soprano saxophone. He relates his stay in Chicago in 1926 where he saw for the first time Louis Armstrong. He tells him how he got the opportunity to work at the Dreamland. 07:40 Cheatham talks about the recordings he made in the 20’s with the singer Ma Rainey. 08:45 White asks him to talk a little bit more about his association with Louis Armstrong. Cheatham tells him how he was introduced to Louis Armstrong. 10:40 Cheatham tells White how Louis Armstrong helped him to have a job at the Vendome theatre. 14:40 Cheatham talks about Louis Armstrong influence and Nicolas Payton. 17:00 Michael White asks Cheatham if Louis Armstrong taught him anything. Doc tells he didn’t understand what Louis Armstrong explained to him because he always made a lot of jokes. 18:27 Michael White and Cheatham discuss about Doc’s career as a lead trumped in many big bands as Cab Calloway, Chick Webb, Teddy Wilson and Benny Carter. Doc says no one gave him the chance to play a solo. He had to wait and work a lot before playing solo trumpet. 21:07 Cheatham explains how he learn to read music. 22:28 Play recording of. “Wrap Your troubles in Dreams”, McKinney Cotton Pickers (1931) 24:00 Cheatham explains how he developed his tone. 26:15 Demonstration (Doc is playing trumpet). 28:20 Cheatham remembers the first time he heard Red Allen singing. After that, he decided to start to sing. 29:20 Demonstration (Doc is singing). 31:55 Michael White mentions the fact that Cheatham has also recorded with Billie Holiday in the mid 1940’s. Cheatham tells White how he met Billie Holiday at the Café Society. 33:35 Cheatham explains he had a crush on Billie Holiday. 35:55 Michael White and Cheatham discuss about Doc’s experience in Latin bands as Ricardo Ray’s band or Machito’s band. He explained why Machito fired him. 38:05 Michael White evokes a souvenir of Cheatham when they played together. Michael White is impressed by Cheatham great energy. Cheatham tells a funny story about it. 40:25 Michael White lists the recent projects of Cheatham. He worked for many years at Sweet Basil in New York where he had a quartet. Moreover, in a couple of weeks, he has a new CD coming out called “Swinging Down in New Orleans”. He also recorded an album with Butch Thompson and is going to record with Taj Mahal and Allen Toussaint. Finally, next summer he will do a tour in Europe. 42:20 Demonstration (Doc is playing trumpet and singing)
