Rudy Powell

A fine journeyman clarinetist and altoist, Rudy Powell (who in later years would change his name to Musheed Karweem) had a fairly productive career. He studied piano and violin as a child before switching to saxophone. Powell was a professional musician by 1927, playing with June Clark and Gene Rodger's Revellers. His first major job was with Cliff Jackson's Krazy Kats from 1928-30. The altoist (who was influenced a bit by Benny Carter) had many associations through the years, working with Elmer Snowden, Dave Nelson, Sam Wooding, Kaiser Marshall's Trio, Rex Stewart (1933), Fats Waller (off and on from 1935-37), Edgar Hayes, Claude Hopkins (1938-39 and 1944), the Teddy Wilson big band, Andy Kirk (1940-41), Fletcher Henderson (1941-42), Eddie South, Don Redman (1943), Chris Columbus, Cab Calloway's Orchestra (1945-48), Lucky Millinder (1949-51), Jimmy Rushing, Buddy Tate, pianist Benton Heath's New Garden Ballroom Orchestra (1953-61), Ray Charles (1961-62), Buddy Johnson and Duke Ellington's My People show. Powell's last major association was with the Saints and Sinners (1965-69), although he freelanced occasionally into the 1970s. Powell recorded with most of the above names (plus Al Casey in 1960 and Henry "Red" Allen) but never as a leader. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide