In his brief life, Page was a key figure in early jazz, the swing era, and rhythm ‘n’ blues.

Oran Page was born in Texas on January 27, 1908. As a teenager, he began a career with the “territory bands” and the southwestern swing tradition. He was nicknamed “Hot Lips” due to his sizzling and dynamic style on the trumpet. Page made his mark with the Blue Devils and other seminal Kansas City bands and was an important member of the early Count Basie and Reno Club orchestras.

Page made a key contribution as a leader of small combos during the late 1930's swing era and the 52nd Street sound, and in that vein he made numerous important recordings and also appeared as the featured trumpet soloist for a time with the Artie Shaw band. After the war he was key figure in the development of the rhythm and blues sound, both with his own records and backing singers like Wynonie Harris in “Rockin’ The Blues”. “Lips” possessed a dynamic style on the trumpet and an earthy, down home singing style.

Page died of pneumonia and heart trouble at the early age of 46 in 1954. We’ll explore his career in depth on the radio program.