DESCRIPTION:
Oran "Hot Lips" Page was one of the Midwest's top trumpet players. He began his professional touring career when he joined "Ma" Rainey's band in the 1920s. Page traveled the Southwest with Rainey, Bessie Smith, Ida Cox and other touring acts. From 1928 to 1931 Page was a member of the Blue Devils; in 1932 he joined Bennie Moten's orchestra, remaining until 1935. After Moten's death, he continued to work with Count Basie, who had taken over the orchestra. Page stayed on as a member of Count Basie's original Reno Club band. The Reno Club, in downtown K.C., had a floorshow, which included Lips Page and Jimmy Rushing, and Basie's band was just starting to turn up the heat, but in 1936 - on the eve of Basie's national success - Page decided to forge a solo career.