Arthur Whetsol, one of the original members in
Duke Ellington's Washingtonians, had an attractive tone, impressive technique, and a very lyrical style that set a standard for
Ellington; in future years
Harold "Shorty" Baker filled a similar role with
Duke. A childhood friend of
Ellington,
Whetsol came to New York with
Duke to join
Elmer Snowden's group in 1923 but left a year later to study medicine at Howard University. He eventually returned to music and was a fixture in
Duke's orchestra during 1928-1936 until a brain disorder forced him to permanently retire. Featured prominently in
Ellington's 1929 film short Black and Tan,
Whetsol took many fine solos in the late '20s when his melodic style was a contrast to that of
Bubber Miley and (a little later)
Cootie Williams, most notably on "Mood Indigo," "Black and Tan Fantasy," and "Black Beauty"; his role became less prominent in the 1930s. ~ Scott Yanow