Eldridge, Roy (1911-1989), was one of the greatest trumpet players in jazz history. His range and rhythmic skill made him perhaps the finest trumpeter of the swing era of the 1930’s. Eldridge performed as an outstanding soloist through 1980, when he retired because of poor health. Eldridge was known as “Little Jazz,” a nickname he was given in the early 1930’s because he was short.
David Roy Eldridge was born on Jan. 30, 1911, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He began playing professionally at the age of 16 as a trumpeter and drummer. He moved to New York City in 1930, playing in bands in the Harlem district. Eldridge’s reputation as a driving and inventive soloist grew through the 1930’s. He made many classic recordings during the decade, including several with singers Mildred Bailey and Billie Holiday and bandleader Benny Goodman. From 1936 to 1941, Eldridge led a number of bands, some with his brother Joe, a saxophonist.
From 1941 to 1943, Eldridge played in the band of drummer Gene Krupa. Eldridge became one of the first black musicians to play in a white jazz band’s brass section. He recorded two hits with Krupa, “Let Me Off Uptown” and “Rockin’ Chair.” Eldridge played in the Artie Shaw band in 1944 and 1945 before forming his own groups again.
From 1950 to 1970, Eldridge performed as a soloist in the United States and in Europe. From 1970 to 1980, he played traditional jazz in a New York nightclub called Jimmy Ryan’s. Eldridge also made high-quality recordings during this period with such jazz musicians as trumpeters Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Hubbard, and Clark Terry, and pianist Oscar Peterson. Eldridge suffered a stroke in 1980 that limited his performing for the rest of his life. He died on Feb. 26, 1989.
