Jazz Musician. He was known as "Jumpin' Jimmy" because he would jump from balconies into audiences, with trumpet in hand, as a member of the orchestra at the Apollo Theater in New York. On the national music scene during the 1940s and 1950s, he was actress and singer Debbie Reynolds' music director, the lead trumpeter for musician Count Basie's band, and recorded for Atlantic Records. Through his career, he performed with jazz legends as Etta James, Nat King Cole, Big Joe Turner, Dinah Washington and Amos Milburn. He was also a member of Paul Williams and his Hucklebuckers and helped launch the career of ex-wife Ruth Brown. In 1960s, he relocated to the Twin Cities, where he continued to play until his death.
Jazz Musician. He was known as "Jumpin' Jimmy" because he would jump from balconies into audiences, with trumpet in hand, as a member of the orchestra at the Apollo Theater in New York. On the national music scene during the 1940s and 1950s, he was actress and singer Debbie Reynolds' music director, the lead trumpeter for musician Count Basie's band, and recorded for Atlantic Records. Through his career, he performed with jazz legends as Etta James, Nat King Cole, Big Joe Turner, Dinah Washington and Amos Milburn. He was also a member of Paul Williams and his Hucklebuckers and helped launch the career of ex-wife Ruth Brown. In 1960s, he relocated to the Twin Cities, where he continued to play until his death.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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