One of the great alto-saxophonists of the 1940's, Don Stovall's decision to retire completely from music while still in his prime has led to him being quite obscure in jazz history books. Stovall started out playing violin before switching to alto. In St. Louis early on he worked with Dewey Jackson, Fate Marable (on riverboats) and Eddie Johnson's Crackerjacks (1932-33). Stovall moved to Buffalo for a few years where he mostly led his own groups and had a short stint with Lil Armstrong. After relocating to New York City in 1939, Stovall worked with Sammy Price, Snub Mosely, Eddie Durham's Big Band and the Cootie Williams Orchestra (1941). His most famous association was with Red Allen's Sextet, a rambunctious group that mixed together Dixieland with early R&B and jump/jazz. The altoist was featured on many records with Allen. Don Stovall decided in 1950 to retire from music and he spent the rest of his life working for the phone company! Unfortunately he never led his own record date but he did record with Allen, Lil Armstrong, Pete Johnson, Sammy Price and Snub Mosley among others. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi