Herman Autrey

Herman Autrey(December 4, 1904 – June 14, 1980)was an Americanjazztrumpeter.

Career

Autrey was born into a musical family inEvergreen, Alabama,United States.He played alto horn before taking up trumpet as a teenager and performing locally in Pittsburgh and Florida.After some time in Florida he worked in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City, where he played withCharlie Johnsonin 1933.He became well known throughFats Waller,who hired him in 1934 after signing a contract withVictor Records.He played with the drummer Harry Dial, guitaristAl Casey,and reedistGene Sedric.Autrey went on to record extensively with Waller,Fletcher Henderson,andClaude Hopkins.

Autrey worked as a sideman into the 1940s withStuff Smith,Sammy Price,andUna Mae Carlisle.He ensembles which sometimes included pianistHerbie Nichols.Early in the 1950s Autrey was hurt in a car crash, sidelining his career for one year.He played withSaints & Sinnersin the 1960s, including on their 1968/69 tours of Europe.In 1969, he played withBuzzy Drootin's Jazz Family, which includedBenny Morton,Herb Hall,pianist Sonny Drootin, bassistEddie Gibbsand. In the 1970s, he began to lose his playing capacity and spent more time as a vocalist.

Herman Autrey died in June 1980 inNew York,at the age of 75.

Discography

• Buster Bailey,All About Memphis(Felsted, 1958)
• Bud Freeman,All Star Swing Sessions(Prestige, 2003)
• Saints & Sinners,The Saints and Sinners(77 Records, 1964)
• Fats Waller,The Joint Is Jumpin(Bluebird, 1987)
• George Wettling,George Wettling and His Windy City Seven(Stere-o-craft, 1958)

External links

• Herman AutreyatAllmusic