Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

February 6, 1921 in Los Angeles, CA

Death

:

March 16, 1983 in New York City, NY

 

Ernie Royal was a renowned American jazz trumpeter and flugelhorn player, born on June 2, 1921, in Los Angeles, California. He was raised in a musical family, with his father being a trumpet player and his mother a pianist. Ernie's father was his first music teacher, and he started playing the trumpet at the age of nine. Ernie's talent was evident from a young age, and he quickly became a sought-after musician in the Los Angeles jazz scene. He played with many local bands, including the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, before moving to New York City in the early 1940s. In New York, Ernie quickly established himself as one of the top trumpet players in the city. He played with many of the great jazz musicians of the time, including Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Benny Goodman. He also became a member of the NBC Symphony Orchestra, where he played under the direction of Arturo Toscanini. Ernie's career continued to flourish throughout the 1950s and 1960s. He played on many classic jazz recordings, including Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue" and John Coltrane's "Giant Steps." He also played on many film and television soundtracks, including "The Pink Panther" and "The Twilight Zone." Ernie was known for his virtuosic trumpet playing and his ability to play in a variety of styles. He was equally comfortable playing in a big band or a small jazz combo, and he was equally adept at playing swing, bebop, or cool jazz. One of the highlights of Ernie's career was his performance at the 1960 Newport Jazz Festival. He played with the Count Basie Orchestra, and his solo on "Corner Pocket" was one of the standout moments of the festival. The performance was recorded and released as an album, which became a classic of the jazz genre. Ernie also received many awards and honors throughout his career. He was a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, and he won a Grammy Award in 1966 for his work on the album "Ellington '66." He was also inducted into the International Jazz Hall of Fame in 1995. Ernie continued to perform and record throughout the 1970s and 1980s, even as his health began to decline. He passed away on March 16, 1983, at the age of 61. Ernie Royal was a true master of the trumpet and a beloved figure in the jazz world. His virtuosic playing and his ability to play in a variety of styles made him one of the most versatile musicians of his time. His legacy lives on through his recordings and the many musicians he influenced throughout his career.

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