Theodore Dudley "Red" Saunders was an influential American jazz drummer and bandleader, born on March 2, 1912, in Memphis, Tennessee. After moving to Chicago in 1923 following his mother's death, Saunders began his musical journey. He took drum lessons at a boarding school in Milwaukee and later received a music scholarship to the University of Texas. By 1928, he was a professional musician, initially playing with Stomp King's band.

Saunders spent years touring with Ira Coffey's Walkathonians and Curtis Mosby's Harlem Scandals before settling in Chicago in 1934. He became a prominent figure in the Chicago music scene, joining Tiny Parham's band at the Savoy Ballroom and later leading the house band at the Club DeLisa from 1937 until its closure in 1958. His band included notable musicians like Joe Williams and arrangers such as Sun Ra.

Saunders recorded for Savoy Records in 1945 and achieved some commercial success with the song "Hambone" in 1952. He collaborated with renowned artists, including Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong, and continued performing into the 1970s. Saunders passed away on March 5, 1981, in Chicago, leaving behind a legacy as a talented drummer and bandleader.