Age, Biography and Wiki

Chu Berry (Leon Brown Berry) was born on 13 September, 1908 in Wheeling, West Virginia, U.S., is an American jazz saxophonist. Discover Chu Berry's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 33 years old?

Popular As Leon Brown Berry
Occupation Musician
Age 33 years old
Zodiac Sign Virgo
Born 13 September, 1908
Birthday 13 September
Birthplace Wheeling, West Virginia, U.S.
Date of death 30 October, 1941
Died Place Conneaut, Ohio, U.S.
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 13 September. He is a member of famous artist with the age 33 years old group.

Chu Berry Height, Weight & Measurements

At 33 years old, Chu Berry height not available right now. We will update Chu Berry's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
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Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

Family
Parents Not Available
Wife Not Available
Sibling Not Available
Children Not Available

Chu Berry Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Chu Berry worth at the age of 33 years old? Chu Berry’s income source is mostly from being a successful artist. He is from United States. We have estimated Chu Berry's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income artist

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Timeline

1908

Leon Brown "Chu" Berry (September 13, 1908 – October 30, 1941) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist during the 1930s.

He is perhaps best known for his time as a member of singer Cab Calloway's big band.

According to music critic Gary Giddins, musicians called him "Chu" either because he chewed on the mouthpiece of his saxophone or because he had a Fu Manchu mustache.

Berry was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, to father Brown Berry and mother Maggie Glasgow Berry.

He graduated from Lincoln High School, in Wheeling, then attended West Virginia State College for three years.

His sister Ann played piano.

Berry became interested in music at an early age, playing alto saxophone, at first with local bands.

He was inspired to take up the tenor saxophone after hearing Coleman Hawkins on tour.

1910

Some saxophone owners use the term "Chu Berry" to refer to any Conn saxophone made between 1910 and the mid-1930s, including soprano, alto, baritone, and C melody saxophones, none of which Berry played.

1920

Chu Berry is the unofficial name of a series of saxophones produced by the C.G. Conn company during the 1920s, though it is more accurate to refer to them as the Conn New Wonder Series II.

The company never officially used the term "Chu Berry" to refer to any of their saxophones.

In fact, Berry played a model of tenor sax generally known as the Conn Transitional and is not known to have ever played a New Wonder Series II.

1929

Most of Berry's career was spent with swing bands: Sammy Stewart, 1929–1930, with whom he switched to tenor sax; Benny Carter, 1932–1933; Teddy Hill, 1933–1935; Fletcher Henderson, 1935–1937; and Cab Calloway, his best-known affiliation, from 1937 to 1941.

He is credited with turning Calloway's band into a legitimate jazz orchestra over the four years of his membership.

1933

Throughout his brief career, Berry was in demand as a sideman for recording sessions under the names of various other jazz artists, including Spike Hughes (1933), Bessie Smith (1933), the Chocolate Dandies (1933), Mildred Bailey (1935–1938), Teddy Wilson (1935–1938), Billie Holiday (1938–1939), Wingy Manone (1938–1939), and Lionel Hampton (1939).

1934

During the period 1934–1939, while saxophone pioneer Hawkins was playing in Europe, Berry was one of several younger tenor saxophonists, such as Budd Johnson, Ben Webster, and Lester Young, who vied for supremacy on their instrument.

Berry's mastery of advanced harmony was an influence on Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker.

Parker named his first son Leon in Chu's honor.

Berry was among the musicians who took part in the jam sessions at Minton's Playhouse in New York City, which helped lead to the development of bebop.

1936

The song "Christopher Columbus", which Berry composed with lyrics by Andy Razaf, was the last important hit recording of the Fletcher Henderson orchestra and was recorded in 1936.

It is one of the most popular riff tunes from the swing era and was later incorporated into Jimmy Mundy's arrangement of "Sing, Sing, Sing" for Benny Goodman's band.

1937

Four sessions were organized with Berry as leader, in 1937, 1938, and 1941.

1941

Berry died on October 30, 1941, in Conneaut, Ohio, after being in a car accident.