Adolphus "Doc" Cheatham’s long career began in vaudeville theatre, before he relocated to Chicago in the mid '20s where he met Louis Armstrong. Cheatham subsequently took up the trumpet, developing an incredible technique without sacrificing his lovely tone. He played with many bands throughout the '30s, including those of Chick Webb, Cab Calloway (with whom he remained for six years), and Teddy Wilson. Following a stint in the orchestra of Benny Carter, Cheatham worked with Machito, Perez Prado, and Billie Holiday before leading his own band in the '60s. He was still playing well into his 80s, astonishing listeners and fellow musicians several generations his junior until his death in 1997.