06 Panama Francis - Benson Bounce

6 Panama Francis– Benson Bounce 2:30

Session date: January 25, 1952

Panama Francis: drums
Bobby Williams, Shad Collins: trumpets
Hilton Jefferson: alto sax
Count Hastings: tenor sax
George James: baritone sax
Dave Rivera: piano
Milt Hinton: bass

PANAMA FRANCIS' Savoy Sultans have been a contemporary reminder of the halycon days of Harlem. Francis spent a lot of time doing studio work in the 1950s and a lot of time working with Dinah Shore in the 60's before getting his Sultans together in the mid-70s. The group has been a joyous part of the scene since then and the music they play doesn't sound a great deal different than what is played here. "Darkness On The Delta" is very much a departure from the other music played here since Hilton Jefferson, the master alto saxophonist, is featured. Dave Rivera, George James, and the underrated Count Hastings have some fine spots amongst the other tracks. There is muted trumpet on "Benson's Bounce" and open trumpet on "12:00 Jump", but who plays what, is not known.


American swing jazz drummer, born 21 December 1918 in Miami, Florida, died 13 November 2001 in Orlando, Florida, USA.

Francis first played professionally in the 1930s. He was part of George Kelly's band from 1934 to 1938, and was then with the Florida Collegians in 1938. After moving to New York that year, he worked with Tab Smith, Billy Hicks, and Roy Eldridge before the 1940s. Francis acquired his nickname from Eldridge "at a moment when [Francis] was wearing a panama hat and Eldridge could not remember his new drummer's name".

Francis joined Lucky Millinder's big band in 1940, so often played at the Savoy Ballroom.After leaving Millinder he was with Willie Bryant's band (1946), and then Cab Calloway (1947–52); he was in three short films alongside the latter.

For much of the 1950s, Francis was a studio musician in New York, accompanying rhythm-and-blues and rock-and-roll groups and singers. The hits he played on included: Bobby Darin ("Splish Splash"); the Four Seasons ("Big Girls Don't Cry", "Walk Like a Man"); the Platters ("The Great Pretender", "My Prayer", "Only You", "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes"), Dion DiMucci "Runaround Sue", Neil Sedaka ("Calendar Girl");and Jackie Wilson ("Reet Petite").

From 1963 Francis toured with singer Dinah Shore for five years. He then resided in California but struggled to find work. He toured Japan with saxophonist Sam "the Man" Taylor in 1970–71, and appeared on film again in 1972, in Lady Sings the Blues. Back in New York, Francis was part of Sy Oliver's nonet from 1973 to 1975, during which time he also appeared at jazz festivals and toured internationally with other bands. He revived the Savoy Sultans jazz and dance band in 1979, and he appeared regularly at the Rainbow Room in New York City for eight years from 1980. Francis became drummer in the Benny Goodman Quartet for concerts in 1982. He appeared in the 1994 film The Statesmen of Jazz as a member of the Statesmen of Jazz.