Warren Durrett
Sample of Correspondence
Financial Logbook, 1969
"Oh and he kept records! He had these notebooks – these little tiny notebooks – and he always wore shirts with little pockets. If he bought a two-cents something, it was in the notebook. He just kept records from the very beginning. He didn’t spend a dime without the record somewhere." -Jan Durrett
Warren was a meticulous record keeper. The Warren Durrett Collection housed in the LaBudde Special Collections Archive contains financial logbooks and correspondence for all forty-one years of Warren's involvement with the band. Additionally, there exist contact sheets for every member of the band, photographs, and numerous manuscript scores.
Recording Session at Damon Studios
In 1949, Warren began his own advertising jingle company, called Durrett Productions.
different genres and styles
different companies and products
Warren Durrett and his Orchestra
By the end of the 60s, the orchestra had mostly eliminated gigs which called for anything smaller than a 14 piece band. This typical group consisted of five wind, nine brass, rhythm, and vocals. In his earlier years, Warren switched between alto and piano, but later focused almost entirely on the latter.
Richard Wilson appears in this picture as the (second chair trumpet). Warren states in his chronology that, " Rich was an important part of the trumpet section stability for 21 years playing strong section work and most of the jazz solos on the Trumpet II chair, as well as any combo work I booked."
"Jeepers Creepers"
This excerpt is from a 1954 performance at the Pla-Mor Ballroom, one of the band's favorite Kansas City venues.
May 8th, 1954
"Cute"
This recording is from a 1965 outdoor remote broadcast at the Landing Shopping Center.
August 20th, 1965
The Warren Durrett Orchestra at the Pla-Mor
Pla-mor Letter
"Stella by Starlight"
This excerpt from the band's appearance at the 1970 Kansas City Jazz Festival features guest alto saxophonist John Park.
April 26th, 1970