Red Top is a jazz instrumental co-written by Ben Kynard and Lionel Hampton in 1946-47. The tune grew from a Newark backstage moment when Kynard, then in Hamp’s band, sketched the melody and wrote the big-band arrangement, naming it after his wife Joyce who had red hair. The first recording was by Gene Ammons and His Sextet in June 1947, with the release in August 1947, and Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra issued a version in January 1948 on Decca. The piece is blues-based and built on a simple three-chord structure, which helped it become a jazz standard and a hit for Ammons. Since then Red Top has been recorded by many artists including Erroll Garner, Dexter Gordon, Slide Hampton, Jimmy Smith, King Pleasure with Betty Carter, Eddie Jefferson, and Louis Jordan, among others. Kynard later spoke about limited royalties and feeling he did not receive fair credit, while Hamp’s orchestra kept the piece in circulation; Kynard went on to a long Kansas City career and also worked for the USPS. Red Top remains a staple in jazz repertoire, celebrated for its catchy melody and bluesy swing.
