Biography of Al Hirt

A classically-trained trumpeter, Al Hirt (best known as "Jumbo" to his friends in New Orleans) picked up jazz licks by listening to the recordings of Harry James and Roy Eldridge in the 40s. He began his professional career working with the swing bands of Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, but when he returned to New Orleans in the latter 40s he gravitated toward the "traditional" jazz format. In 1955 he formed a combo that included Pete Fountain, and over the next five years worked on attracting national recognition. His greatest popularity, however, came in the mid 60s, when he had back-to-back hits with "Java," and "Cotton Candy," tunes that were perhaps closer to a popularized country-music style than to Dixieland. During the 70s, he operated his own nightclub on Bourbon Street. After a hiatus of several years, in the early 90s he returned to Bourbon Street, where he is still active. Al Hirt's substantial popularity stems from his genuine technical virtuosity and powerful delivery. ~ Bruce Boyd Raeburn