Roy Eldridge 1.30.11-2.26.89 trumpet: swing, big band

Called the swing era's first trumpet soloist, Roy's playing was influenced by the saxophone playing of Coleman Hawkins and Benny Carter. In 1941 he broke racist social rules in the United States and played in the Gene Krupa band. Eldridge was never able to look at the camera while standing next to Dizzy Gillespie In the 50s he played with Benny Carter, Johnny Hodges, Ella Fitzgerald and Hawkins.