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George Brunies | |
|---|---|
.jpg) George Brunis andTony Parenti, Jimmy Ryan's (Club), New York, c. August 1946, image:Gottlieb | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Georg Brunis |
| Born | George Clarence Brunies (1902-02-06)February 6, 1902 New Orleans,Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | November 19, 1974(1974-11-19) (aged 72) |
| Genres | Jazz,dixieland |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Trombone |
| Years active | 1920–1960 |
George Clarence Brunies (February 6, 1902 – November 19, 1974),[1]a.k.a.Georg Brunis, was an Americanjazz trombonist, who was part of thedixieland revival. He was known as "The King of the Tailgate Trombone".[2]
Brunies was born inNew Orleans,Louisiana, United States,[1] into a musical family. His father led a family band, and his brothersHenry,Merritt,Richard, andAlbert ("Abbie") all became noted professional musicians. By the age of eight, George was already playingalto horn professionally inPapa Jack Laine's band.[3] A few years later he switched totrombone.[1] He played with many jazz, dance, and parade bands in New Orleans. He never learned to read music, but could quickly pick up tunes and invent a part for his instrument.
He first went to Chicago in 1919 with a band led by Ragbaby Stevens, then worked on riverboats going up and down theMississippi River. In 1921, he returned to Chicago, and joined a band of his New Orleans friends playing at theFriar's Inn; this was the band that became famous as theNew Orleans Rhythm Kings.[2] Brunies's trombone style was influential to the young Chicago players, and his records were much copied.
After the Rhythm Kings broke up in Chicago in 1924, Brunies joined the nationally famousTed Lewis band, which he played with through 1934.[1]
After some time withLouis Prima's band he landed a steady gig at the New York City jazz club, Nick's, through 1938.[4] In 1939, he joinedMuggsy Spanier's band, with whom he made some of his most famous recordings.[1] The following year he returned to Nick's, where he remained until 1946.[4] Brunies then worked withEddie Condon.
In 1949, Brunies moved back to Chicago to lead his own band.[1] Brunies often showed off his unusual technical abilities and bizarre sense of humor at the same time; for example he would lie on the floor and invite the largest person in the audience to sit on his chest while he played trombone.
On the advice of anumerologist, he changed his name to Georg Brunis in the late 1940s,[1] when he was playing at the 1111 (eleven-eleven) Club in Chicago.[1] He believed that this name change would increase his good fortune. The 1111 was a popular jazz club which was always full on Friday and Saturday nights with jazz lovers from the northern suburbs of Chicago. Every now and then other well-known jazz musicians, such as Muggsy Spanier, would drop in and sit and play until dawn.
Georg Brunis died in Chicago on November 19, 1974.[2]
