George Brunies facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Brunies
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
George Brunis and Tony Parenti, Jimmy Ryan's (Club), New York, c. August 1946, image: Gottlieb
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | George Clarence Brunies |
| Also known as | Georg Brunis |
| Born | February 6, 1902 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | November 19, 1974 (aged 72) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz, dixieland |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Trombone |
| Years active | 1920–1960 |
| Associated acts | New Orleans Rhythm Kings |
George Clarence Brunies (born February 6, 1902 – died November 19, 1974) was an American jazz musician. He played the trombone. People also knew him as Georg Brunis. He was famous for his part in the "dixieland revival." This was a time when old-style jazz became popular again. He was even called "The King of the Tailgate Trombone."
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
George Brunies was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. He came from a very musical family. His father led a family band. All of George's brothers also became professional musicians. Their names were Henry, Merritt, Richard, and Albert (Abbie).
When George was only eight years old, he started playing music professionally. He played the alto horn in a band led by Papa Jack Laine. A few years later, he switched to the trombone. He played in many jazz, dance, and parade bands in New Orleans. George never learned to read music. However, he could quickly learn songs by ear. He was also great at making up his own parts for his instrument.
Moving to Chicago and Famous Bands
In 1919, George Brunies traveled to Chicago for the first time. He went with a band led by Ragbaby Stevens. After that, he worked on riverboats. These boats traveled up and down the Mississippi River.
In 1921, he returned to Chicago. He joined a band of his friends from New Orleans. They played at a place called the Friar's Inn. This band later became very famous as the New Orleans Rhythm Kings. George's trombone playing style was very important. Many young musicians in Chicago copied his sound. His recordings were also widely copied.
After the Rhythm Kings band broke up in 1924, Brunies joined another famous band. This was the Ted Lewis band. He played with them for many years, until 1934.
Playing in New York City
After playing with the Ted Lewis band, George Brunies joined Louis Prima's band for a while. Then, he got a steady job at a jazz club in New York City called Nick's. He played there until 1938.
In 1939, he joined Muggsy Spanier's band. With this group, he made some of his most well-known recordings. The next year, he went back to Nick's. He stayed there until 1946. After that, Brunies worked with another musician named Eddie Condon.
Later Career and Name Change
In 1949, George Brunies moved back to Chicago. There, he started his own band. Brunies often showed off his amazing skills on the trombone. He also had a very funny and unusual sense of humor. For example, he would sometimes lie on the floor. Then, he would invite the biggest person in the audience to sit on his chest. He would play his trombone while they sat there!
In the late 1940s, George changed his name to Georg Brunis. He did this because a numerologist advised him to. Numerology is a belief that numbers have special meanings. He was playing at the 1111 (eleven-eleven) Club in Chicago at the time. He thought changing his name would bring him more good luck. The 1111 Club was a very popular jazz spot. It was always full of jazz fans, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. Sometimes, other famous jazz musicians like Muggsy Spanier would visit. They would sit in and play music until early morning.
Georg Brunis passed away in Chicago on November 19, 1974.
