Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Emmett Berry was born on July 23, 1915 in Macon, Georgia and  began to study classical trumpet, but by 18 had switched to jazz and moved to New York City. Becoming a member of Fletcher Henderson’s band he later replaced Roy Eldridge as soloist.

In the 1940s he worked in Eldridge’s Little Jazz Trumpet Ensemble. He also played in Count Basie’s band. He is known as an accompanist for Billie Holiday, was in the photograph known as A Great Day in Harlem, and the special The Sound of Jazz.

He recorded 39 albums as a sideman with Buck Clayton, Johnny Hodges, Sammy Price, Jimmy Rushing, Cannonball Adderley, Count Basie, Sidney Bechet, Ruby Braff, Bobby Donaldson, Dizzy Gillespie, Edmond Hall, Coleman Hawkins, Fletcher Henderson, Claude Hopkins, Jo Jones, Red Prysock, Buddy Rich, Pee Wee Russell, Maxim Saury, Buddy Tate, Joe Williams, and Jimmy Witherspoon.

Trumpeter Emmett Berry, who also played flute, piano, vibraphone, congas, and drums, died in Cleveland, Ohio on June 22, 1993.

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