Musician. Born in Dyersburg, Tenessesse, he began his career at the age of 14, singing and playing trumpet with medicine shows. He soon was with jazz bandleader Jimmy Stewart whom he performed with until 1930, when he joined Irene Eadie and Her Vogue Vagabonds in Chicago. In 1931, he became a trumpeter for Earl Hines' orchestra and recorded the albums "Deep Frost" (1932), "Swingin Down" (1932) and "The Father Jumps" (1939). By the 1940s, he was leader of his own band which toured coast to coast and recorded the hit parade songs "Son of a Mellophone Player" and "Rosetta". In his later years, he settled in San Diego, continued to play trumpet and take on solo vocal jobs in California until his death.
Musician. Born in Dyersburg, Tenessesse, he began his career at the age of 14, singing and playing trumpet with medicine shows. He soon was with jazz bandleader Jimmy Stewart whom he performed with until 1930, when he joined Irene Eadie and Her Vogue Vagabonds in Chicago. In 1931, he became a trumpeter for Earl Hines' orchestra and recorded the albums "Deep Frost" (1932), "Swingin Down" (1932) and "The Father Jumps" (1939). By the 1940s, he was leader of his own band which toured coast to coast and recorded the hit parade songs "Son of a Mellophone Player" and "Rosetta". In his later years, he settled in San Diego, continued to play trumpet and take on solo vocal jobs in California until his death.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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