Red Callender, (born 1916, Haynesville, Virginia, died 1992, Saugus, California) was a jazz bass and tuba player, famous for his work with
Duke Ellington's Orchestra and the
Louis Armstrong All-Stars. In the early '40s, he played in the
Lester and
Lee Young band, and then formed his own trio. In the 1940s Callender recorded with
Nat King Cole, Erroll Garner, Charlie Parker, Wardell Gray, Dexter Gordon and many others. After a period spent leading a trio in Hawaii, Callender returned to Los Angeles, becoming one of the first black musicians to work regularly in the commercial studios. On his 1954 Crown LP "Speaks Low," Callender was one of the earliest modern jazz tuba soloists. Keeping busy up until his death, some of the highlights of the bassist's later career include recording with
Art Tatum and
Jo Jones (1955-1956) for the Tatum Group, playing with
Charles Mingus at the 1964 Monterey Jazz Festival, working with James Newton's
avant-garde woodwind quintet (on tuba), and performing as a regular member of the Cheatham's Sweet Baby Blues Band. He also reached the top of the British pop charts as a member of
B. Bumble and the Stingers. 
