News & Updates — Roy Eldridge

Roy Eldridge was a great trumpet stylist with the swing bands, who always wanted to up the ante. He was one of the first black men to hold regular position in white orchestras, doing so with Gene Krupa (who has been arrested for defending Eldridge in racist environments), Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman. Consciously trying to play like a saxophonist, he was the Coleman Hawkins of the trumpet and was a huge inspiration to Dizzy Gillespie. He also played with Fletcher Henderson, Billie Holiday and was one of the protesting "Newport Rebels". If confronted, musically or otherwise, he may just...