Max Kaminsky (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Max Kaminsky
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Jack Lesberg, Max Kaminsky, and Peanuts Hucko at Eddie Condon's, New York, N.Y., ca. May 1947. Image: Gottlieb
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| Background information | |
| Born | September 7, 1908 |
| Origin | Brockton, Massachusetts |
| Died | September 6, 1994 (aged 85) |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Trumpet |
Max Kaminsky (September 7, 1908 – September 6, 1994) was an American jazz trumpeter and bandleader. He was known for his lively trumpet playing in the Dixieland style of jazz.
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Max Kaminsky's Early Life and Music
Max Kaminsky was born in Brockton, Massachusetts, which is a city near Boston. He started his music career in Boston in 1924. By 1928, he was playing in Chicago with musicians like George Wettling and Frank Teschemacher. He also spent a short time in New York in 1929, playing with Red Nichols.
Max Kaminsky became famous for playing Dixieland jazz. This is an early style of jazz music that started in New Orleans. He even played with the Original Dixieland Jass Band at one point.
Playing with Famous Bands
From 1933 to 1938, Max Kaminsky played in popular dance bands. During this time, he also recorded music with other jazz greats. He worked with Eddie Condon and Benny Carter's group, the Chocolate Dandies, in 1933. He also recorded with Mezz Mezzrow.
Kaminsky played with Tommy Dorsey in 1936 and 1938. He also briefly joined Artie Shaw's band in 1938. From 1939 to 1940, he performed and recorded with Bud Freeman. He then rejoined Artie Shaw's band from 1941 to 1943. Shaw led a navy band, and Kaminsky toured the South Pacific with them.
Important Concerts and Collaborations
Starting in 1942, Max Kaminsky was part of big jazz concerts in New York City. These shows were put together by Eddie Condon at famous venues like Carnegie Hall and Town Hall. From 1943, he continued to play Dixieland jazz with many different groups.
In the 1940s, he also worked with other well-known jazz musicians. These included Sidney Bechet, George Brunis, Art Hodes, Joe Marsala, Willie "The Lion" Smith, and Jack Teagarden. On December 15, 1949, he played at the opening of the famous jazz club Birdland. He shared the stage with legends like Charlie Parker and Lester Young.
Later Career and Legacy
Later in his career, Max Kaminsky became a musician for television shows. He even led Jackie Gleason's personal band for several seasons. In 1957, he toured Europe with Jack Teagarden's and Earl Hines' "All Stars" band. He also performed at clubs like the Metropole and Ryan's in New York from the late 1960s to 1983. He played at the Newport Jazz Festival and the New York World's Fair in 1964–65.
In 1975 and 1976, he made recordings as a bandleader. These recordings show his unique trumpet style. His playing was full-toned, clear, and swinging. It reminded people of earlier jazz greats like King Oliver, Freddy Keppard, and Louis Armstrong.
Max Kaminsky wrote an autobiography called My Life in Jazz. It was published in 1963 and focused on his early career.
Max Kaminsky's Passing
Max Kaminsky passed away on September 6, 1994. This was just one day before his 86th birthday. His collection of photographs, old recordings, and jazz items is kept at the Hogan Jazz Archive. This archive is located at Tulane University in New Orleans. His family felt that New Orleans was the perfect place for his collection, as it is the birthplace of jazz.
