Billy Douglas
Encyclopedia
Billy Douglas was an American jazz
trumpeter and vocalist.
Douglas played with Larry Ringold while young, both of them having been house in the same boys' institution. He played locally in his teens, and moved to New York City
in 1932 as a member of Earle Howard
's band. He played with Percy Nelson in Hartford in 1933-34, then played in the South with Jimmy Gunn
. Don Albert
picked him up in 1934, and Douglas remained in Albert's orchestra through 1937. Douglas did freelance work for a time, then worked with Earl Hines
for several years in the early 1940s.
After 1945 he returned to New Haven, Connecticut
, where he performed locally until his retirement.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
trumpeter and vocalist.
Douglas played with Larry Ringold while young, both of them having been house in the same boys' institution. He played locally in his teens, and moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1932 as a member of Earle Howard
Earle Howard
Earle Howard was an American jazz guitarist, pianist, and vocalist.Howard was raised in New York City, attending the same high school as Fats Waller. Around the same time Howard played in a youth ensemble which featured Charlie Irvis, Benny Morton, and Benny Carter. He led his own seven-piece band...
's band. He played with Percy Nelson in Hartford in 1933-34, then played in the South with Jimmy Gunn
Jimmy Gunn
Jimmy Gunn is a retired American football linebacker in the National Football League.-Professional career:Gunn played for the Chicago Bears, New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers between 1970 and 1976....
. Don Albert
Don Albert
Albert Dominique, better known by his stage name Don Albert was an American jazz trumpeter and bandleader....
picked him up in 1934, and Douglas remained in Albert's orchestra through 1937. Douglas did freelance work for a time, then worked with Earl Hines
Earl Hines
Earl Kenneth Hines, universally known as Earl "Fatha" Hines, was an American jazz pianist. Hines was one of the most influential figures in the development of modern jazz piano and, according to one source, is "one of a small number of pianists whose playing shaped the history of jazz".-Early...
for several years in the early 1940s.
After 1945 he returned to New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
, where he performed locally until his retirement.
Further reading
- Barry Kernfeld. The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz.