Oran Thaddeus Page (27 January 1908 – 4 November 1954) jazz trumpeter, singer, bandleader born in Dallas, Texas, better known as Hot Lips Page by the public, and Lips Page by his fellow musicians. He was known as a scorching soloist and powerful vocalist.
In his early years, Page travelled the southwest backing such blues singers as Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, and Ida Cox. He moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 1928 and played with leading bands, including the Walter Page's legendary Blue Devils, Bennie Moten, and Count Basie's original Reno Club orchestra.
Read an interview with Todd Bryant Weeks, author of Luck's In my Corner: The Life and Music of Hot Lips Page, free from allaboutjazz.com.
He began his professional touring career when he joined “Ma” Rainey's band in the 1920s. Page traveled the Southwest with Rainey, Bessie Smith and other touring acts. From 1928 to 1931, Page was a member of the Blue Devils (a group that included Walter Page, no relation, and future jazz superstar, Count Basie), a group that was based in Oklahoma City, where Page gained early fame. In 1932, he joined Bennie Moten’s orchestra, remaining until 1935. After Moten's death, he continued to work with Count Basie. Page played with Count Basie’s original Reno Club band. The Reno Club, in downtown Kansas City, had a floorshow, which included Lips Page and vocalist Jimmy Rushing. Basie's band was just starting to build their notoriety, but in 1936 - on the eve of Basie’s national success - Page decided to forge a solo career.
Just before Basie left for New York City and national success, Page went on his own with Louis Armstrong's manager Joe Glaser, but did not have comparable success. Nonetheless, he was a popular and successful musician, leading several bands and combos of his own, both in Kansas City and New York. He was featured in Artie Shaw's Orchestra and played on many recording sessions, including duets with Pearl Bailey on "The Hucklebuck" and "Baby, It's Cold Outside".
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