Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Jimmy Bertrand was born on February 24, 1900 in Biloxi, Mississippi, and moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1913. He began playing in the State Theatre Orchestra before joining Erskine Tate’s Vendome Orchestra from 1918 to 1928. He became active on the blues and jazz scene of the 1920s in Chicago.

During the 1920 he did a great deal of teaching and his pupils included Wallace Bishop, Lionel Hampton, and Big Sid Catlett. He recorded with Louis Armstrong, Johnny Dodds, Erskine Tate, and Blind Blake, amongst many others.

Jimmy went on to play with Don Cooke and Lee Collins. He led own group, Jimmy Bertrand’s Washboard Wizards during that period, and worked often with pianist Jimmy Blythe.

He led his own band during the 1930s and early 40s before retiring and going to work in a meat packing plant. Percussionist and xylophonist Jimmy Bertrand, who was the brother-in-law of Jelly Roll Morton, transitioned in Chicago in August 1960.

More Posts: bandleader,drums,history,instrumental,jazz,music,xylophone