This trombonist, who had a tone as chewy as alligator sausage, came out of the Louisiana music scene and a background of formal studies at Leland College and the school band at Atlanta, GA's Morehouse College. Chambers sprung into professional bloom in 1931 with bandleader Neil Montgomery, and the following year was gigging in Nashville with Doc Banks. This engagement was followed by a stint with Jack Jackson's Pullman Porters, a band, and not a bunch of guys in red hats. The trombonist stayed put in this outfit after the leader wandered off and was replaced by Speed Webb. In 1934, Chambers played with Zack Whyte and in the middle of this decade became associated with Al Sears' Band, requiring a move to Kentucky.

Career eyes were focused on New York City, however. A two-year stint with the excellent Tiny Bradshaw consolidated contacts, then in 1939 the trombonist finally made the move and became a member of the Chris Columbus Band at the Savoy Ballroom. This lasted through 1940 and then Chambers was on to a plum job with none other than Louis Armstrong. From 1943 he was freelancing again, having done well with Satchmo. He played with Don Redman, Sy Oliver, Lucky Millinder, and Count Basie. He was still going strong in the '50s, jiving around with Cab Calloway, swinging with Doc Cheatham, and dabbling in the music of both Duke Ellington and Mercer Ellington. There was also regular studio work and enough big-band jobs to ward off the rock roll unemployment demons. From 1961 through the end of 1963, he was with Ray Charles, riding high on the hit parade, then took on heavily grooving periods with Basie through 1966. A specialty in his final years turned out to be running a rehearsal band with associate Edgar Battle. Chambers died of a heart attack on October 19,1967. ~ Eugene Chadbourne, Rovi