Pee Wee Erwin
Encyclopedia
Pee Wee Erwin was an American jazz
trumpeter.
s before joining the groups of Joe Haymes
(1931–33) and Isham Jones
(1933–34). He then moved to New York City
, where he was prolific as a studio musician, performing on radio and in recording sessions. He played with Benny Goodman
in 1934-35, then with Ray Noble
in 1935; the next year he joined Goodman again, taking Bunny Berigan
's empty chair. In 1937 he again followed Berigan, this time in Tommy Dorsey
's orchestra, where he remained until 1939.
Erwin led his own big band
in 1941-42 and 1946. In the 1950s he played Dixieland jazz
in New Orleans, and in the 1960s formed his own trumpet school with Chris Griffin
; among its graduates was Warren Vache
. Erwin played up until the year of his death, recording as a leader for United Artists
in the 1950s and issuing six albums in 1980 and '81, the last two years of his life.
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.
Biography
Erwin started on trumpet at age four. He played in several territory bandTerritory band
Territory bands were dance bands that crisscrossed specific regions of the United States from the 1920s through the 1960s. Beginning in the 1920s, the bands typically had 8 to 12 musicians. These bands typically played one-nighters, 6 or 7 nights a week at venues like VFW halls, Elks Lodges,...
s before joining the groups of Joe Haymes
Joe Haymes
Joseph Lawrence Haymes was an American jazz bandleader and arranger.Born in Marshfield, Missouri, Haymes relocated with his family to Springfield, Missouri, after his railroader father was killed in an accident. Joe attended Greenwood Laboratory School in Springfield and was a drummer in the local...
(1931–33) and Isham Jones
Isham Jones
Isham Jones was a United States bandleader, saxophonist, bassist and songwriter.-Career:Jones was born in Coalton, Ohio, to a musical and mining family, and grew up in Saginaw, Michigan, where he started his first band...
(1933–34). He then 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...
, where he was prolific as a studio musician, performing on radio and in recording sessions. He played with Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman
Benjamin David “Benny” Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing".In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America...
in 1934-35, then with Ray Noble
Ray Noble (musician)
Ray Noble was an English bandleader, composer, arranger and actor. Noble studied music at the Royal Academy of Music and became leader of the HMV Records studio band in 1929. The band, known as the New Mayfair Dance Orchestra, featured members of many of the top hotel orchestras of the day...
in 1935; the next year he joined Goodman again, taking Bunny Berigan
Bunny Berigan
Rowland Bernard "Bunny" Berigan was an American jazz trumpeter who rose to fame during the swing era, but whose virtuosity and influence were shortened by a losing battle with alcoholism that ended in his early death at age 33. He composed the jazz instrumentals "Chicken and Waffles" and "Blues"...
's empty chair. In 1937 he again followed Berigan, this time in Tommy Dorsey
Tommy Dorsey
Thomas Francis "Tommy" Dorsey, Jr. was an American jazz trombonist, trumpeter, composer, and bandleader of the Big Band era. He was known as "The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing", due to his smooth-toned trombone playing. He was the younger brother of bandleader Jimmy Dorsey...
's orchestra, where he remained until 1939.
Erwin led his own big band
Big band
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
in 1941-42 and 1946. In the 1950s he played Dixieland jazz
Dixieland Jazz
Dixieland Jazz was a Canadian music television series which aired on CBC Television in 1954.-Premise:The series host was Trump Davidson, a cornet player. He also hosted a radio music series on CBC's Trans-Canada Network.-Scheduling:...
in New Orleans, and in the 1960s formed his own trumpet school with Chris Griffin
Chris Griffin
Chris Griffin is a character from the animated television series Family Guy. He is the son and middle child of Peter and Lois Griffin, brother of Stewie and Meg Griffin. Chris is voiced by Seth Green.-Personality:...
; among its graduates was Warren Vache
Warren Vache
Warren Vaché is a jazz trumpeter, cornetist and flugelhornist born in Rahway, New Jersey. He came from a musical family as his father was a bassist. In 1976 he released his first album...
. Erwin played up until the year of his death, recording as a leader for United Artists
United Artists
United Artists Corporation is an American film studio. The original studio of that name was founded in 1919 by D. W. Griffith, Charles Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks....
in the 1950s and issuing six albums in 1980 and '81, the last two years of his life.
See also
- Pee Wee Erwin: Complete Fifties Recordings. A complete listing on the Worlds Records website.