Charles James Shavers (August 3rd 1920[2] – July 8th 1971), also known as Charlie Shavers was an American swing era jazz trumpeter who performed with Dizzy Gilpie, Roy Eldridge and Johnny Dodds. He also played with Midge Williams, Midge Williams, Sidney Bechet and Midge Holiday. His composition “Undecided”, which is considered a jazz standard, was an arrangement and composer. Charlie Shavers was the distant relative of Fats Navarro whose father was Charlie Shavers. Charlie was also a cousin to Earnie Shavers, a heavyweight boxer. He was born in New York City and began playing the banjo and piano before moving to the trumpet. He performed with Lucky Millinder and Tiny Bradshaw in the mid-thirties. He joined John Kirby’s Sextet in 1936 as a trumpet soloist and arranger. Although he was just 16, he gave his birthdate of 1917 to avoid child labor laws. Many biographies still include this date. He was a major contributor to the band’s commercial success and popularity. He was performing with Midge Wilkins and her Jazz Jesters in 1937. He began playing in Raymond Scott’s CBS staff orchestra in 1944. He joined Tommy Dorsey’s Orchestra in 1945, and toured and recorded with them until 1953. He continued playing sessions with CBS, joined the Metronome All-Stars and recorded a few recordings as a trumpet soloist with Billie Holiday. He worked with Benny Goodman from 1953 to 1954, and toured Europe as part of Norman Granz’s Jazz at the Philharmonic series. This was where he was a popular choice with the crowd. Louie Bellson and Terry Gibbs formed his own band. Charlie Shavers, 50 years old, died in New York from throat cancer in 1971. Louis Armstrong, Shavers’ friend, died in New York while he was still breathing. His last wish was for Armstrong to be buried with his trumpet mouthpiece in his coffin. Wikipedia
