Vic Dickenson

Born in Xenia, Ohio, United States, in 1906,[1] Dickenson wanted to be a plasterer like his father, but he abandoned the idea after injuring himself by falling off a ladder.[2] He studied organ from 1922, then changed to performing trombone with local bands. He made his recording debut in December 1930 as a vocalist with Luis Russell's band.[1] He joined Blanche Calloway's orchestra in the early 1930s. He led his own groups both on the east and west coast between 1947 and the mid-1950s.

From then he was a session man. He appeared on the television program The Sound of Jazz in 1957 with Count Basie, Coleman Hawkins, Roy Eldridge, Gerry Mulligan, and Billie Holiday. He also recorded as a sideman with Jimmy Rushing (on Vanguard Records), Coleman Hawkins (Capitol and Prestige Records), Pee Wee Russell (Black Lion), Benny Carter (Bluebird and Black & Blue), Lester Young (Blue Note and Verve), Count Basie (Columbia and Pablo), Sidney Bechet (Bluebird, Black & Blue, and Blue Note). In 1953, he recorded The Vic Dickenson Showcase for Vanguard with Ed Hall on clarinet and Ruby Braff on trumpet.[1] In 1958, Sydney Bechet made him come to France and play record at Brussel exposal.

Dickenson was a member of "The World's Greatest Jazz Band", the house band at The Roosevelt Grill in New York City.[3] He also performed at the same venue in a smaller group that featured him alongside trumpeter Bobby Hackett.[1]

Dickenson is in Art Kane's photograph, A Great Day in Harlem, which includes trombonist Miff Mole.

Dickenson died in New York City in 1984 at the age of 78 as a result of cancer.[2]