Skip to main content

Don Lamond Biography

don-lamond
  • Born: August 18, 1920 in Oklahoma City, OK
  • Years Active: 1940s-1990s
  • Member of: The Sauter-Finegan Orchestra
  • Genre: Jazz

Equally skilled in both big-band and combo settings, Don Lamond is best-known for his association with Woody Herman's Orchestra. He grew up in Washington, studied at the Peabody Conservatory in Philadelphia, and picked up early experience working with the big bands of Sonny Dunham (1943) and Boyd Raeburn. Lamond replaced Dave Tough in Woody Herman's First Herd in 1945 and carved out his own musical identity with the group. He was with Herman until that classic orchestra broke up in December 1946, freelanced a bit in 1947 (including recording with Charlie Parker), and then rejoined Herman when he formed the Second Herd, staying with that ensemble for two years before it disbanded in 1949. Lamond was quite busy in the studios during the '50s and '60s, appearing on a countless number of jazz dates ranging from Dixieland and swing to big bands and bop. Among his many associations were Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Johnny Smith, Benny Goodman, Ruby Braff, the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra, Sonny Stitt, Johnny Guarnieri, Jack Teagarden, Quincy Jones (1959), George Russell, Bob Crosby (1966), and many others. In the late '60s, Lamond was a member of George Wein's Newport Festival All-Stars. He recorded with Red Norvo, Maxine Sullivan (1971), and Bucky Pizzarelli, and led his own Big Swing Band in Florida starting in the late '70s. Don Lamond recorded a tentet set for Command in 1962 (which included Doc Severinsen), his big band cut an album apiece for Progressive in 1977 and 1982, and there was a 1981 quartet set (also for Progressive) featuring his wife Terry Lamond on vocals. Lamond died December 23, 2003 at the age of 82. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi

Advertisement