Roy Eldridge
David Roy Eldridge, known as "Little Jazz," was born on January 30, 1911, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He emerged as a child prodigy, beginning his professional career in 1917 by playing drums in his brother Joe's band. Eldridge's early musical journey was influenced by his family's musical background, notably his mother's talent for playing the piano by ear and his brother Joe's diverse instrumental skills.
Eldridge initially played the bugle and drums before transitioning to the trumpet, encouraged by his brother. Despite challenges in sight-reading music, he excelled at replicating melodies by ear. His early career involved leading and playing in various bands across the Midwest, absorbing influences from prominent saxophonists like Benny Carter and Coleman Hawkins.
In 1930, Eldridge moved to New York City, where he played with bands led by Cecil Scott, Elmer Snowden, and Teddy Hill. By 1935, he was performing at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, developing a powerful and inventive improvisational style. He joined Fletcher Henderson's orchestra in 1936, contributing to historic recordings and collaborating with singer Billie Holiday.
Eldridge's fame soared in 1941 when he joined Gene Krupa's band, and further increased in 1944 with Artie Shaw. He later toured globally with Jazz at the Philharmonic and other jazz groups, retiring in 1980. Eldridge's trumpet style, characterized by fast, scalelike passages and harmonically unorthodox choices, bridged the classical style of Louis Armstrong and the modern jazz innovations of Dizzy Gillespie, who acknowledged Eldridge's influence.
Roy Eldridge passed away on February 26, 1989, in Valley Stream, New York, leaving a lasting impact as one of the most influential musicians of the swing era and a precursor of bebop.
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