Leon "Chu" Berry grew up in a musical family, and studied alto saxophone at West
Virginia Stage College for three years. On graduating in 1929, he obtained his
first professional contract in Stammy Stewart's Chicago big band, as tenor
saxophonist (1929-1931). He went on to play in the big bands of Benny Carter
(1932-1933) and Teddy Hill (1933-1935). It was in Fletcher Handerson's big band
(1935-1936) that he acquired a solid reputation, so much so that Cab Calloway
asked him to join his orchestra as its first saxophonist (1937-1941).
Unfortunately, Leon "Chu" Berry was killed in ...