Frankie “Half Pint” Jaxon (March 3, 1896 or 1897 – May 15, 1953) was a vaudeville singer, comedian and female impersonator. His nickname of “Half
Jimmie Noone (April 23, 1895 – April 19, 1944) is considered one of the best clarinetists of the Twenties. His style differs from the other
Born in Little Rock, Arkansas in April 1906, Alex Hill (April 22, 1906 – February 1937), the eldest son of an African Episcopalian minister and
Omer Simeon (July 21, 1902 – September 17, 1959) and his family moved from New Orleans to Chicago in 1914 and like so many other great
Earl Hines has been called the first modern jazz pianist. His style differed from other pianists of the Twenties in his use of what were
Zutty Singleton (May 14, 1898 – July 14, 1975) was one of the most influential drummers of early Jazz. He popularized the use of brushes
Unlike most early Jazz musicians who called themselves Doc or Professor, Charles L. Cooke (September 3, 1891 – December 25, 1958), really had a doctorate
Charlie Creath (December 30, 1890 – October 23, 1951 ) was, like Fate Marable and Peck Kelly, was a regional band leader. Never traveling to the
Before Louis Armstrong left Chicago to join Fletcher Henderson’s Orchestra in 1924, Johnny Dunn (February 19, 1897 – August 20, 1937) was considered the king of New York’s Jazz
Cornetist Thomas Morris (August 30, 1897 – 1945) is a somewhat shadowy, yet prolific figure of the early New York Jazz scene. He led a
Albert Nicholas (May 27, 1900 – September 3, 1973) played with Buddy Petit, King Oliver, and Manuel Perez while still a teenager in New Orleans and
Title Recording Date Recording Location Company My Sweet Man (Tickles The Ivories For Me) (Benett) 9-1924 New York, New York Ajax 17068 What You Need
Mamie Smith was the first to record hit blues songs with her versions of Perry Bradford’s “Crazy Blues“, and “It’ s Right Here for You” on
Anthony Parenti (8-6-1900 to 4-17-72) was born into a musical family and learned as a youngster to play various reed instruments. By the time he
Violinist Armand Piron (8-16-1888 to 2-17-1943) is remembered most today as the early business partner of Clarence Williams. They owned The Piron-Williams Publishing Company in
Buddie Petit was, at the height of his powers, considered one of the greatest of the New Orleans cornet players. Although he never recorded, many
When Henry “Kid” Rena‘s (pronounced ruh-NAY, 8-30-1898 to 4-25-1949) name comes up, albeit infrequently, in the annals of New Orleans jazz, he’s usually identified as
Manuel Perez’s (December 28th 1871 – 1946) place in the history of Jazz would probably have been greater if he would have talked to historians,
Creole clarinetist Alphonse Picou (10-18-1880 to 2-4-1961) was one of the earliest Jazz musicians from New Orleans and is generally credited with developing the clarinet
Freddie Keppard (2-27-1890 to 12-21-1933) was an important musician who succeeded Buddy Bolden as “king” of the cornet players in New Orleans. He started playing around 1906,
Bill Johnson (8/10/1872-12/3/1971) and one of the first band leaders to take the New Orleans style of Jazz outside of the city. In 1909 he
Natty Dominique (August 2, 1896 – August 30, 1982) played trumpet with many of the Hot Jazz groups from New Orleans in the 1920’s. As
Papa Celestin (January 1, 1884 – December 15, 1954) was one of the most popular of New Orleans cornetists and considered a major player in
Sonny Clay was born in Texas on May 15th 1899 and moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1908. As a teenager he played in bands around
