Louis Metcalf

Louis Metcalf ( born February 28, 1905 in Webster Growes, Missouri, † October 27, 1981 in New York) was an American jazz trumpeter and cornetist of swing.

Life and work

Metcalf grew up in St. Louis and worked early in his career on a river steamer " Streckfus " line, which at that time had ever a band from New Orleans and St. Louis. He was a popular show, " Jimmy Cooper's Black & White Revue", a few years on tour and finally came in 1923 to New York. There he worked in clubs with Sidney Bechet, Johnny Hodges, Willie "The Lion" Smith and Tom Benford, also with Jelly Roll Morton, Benny Carter and King Oliver. Metcalf was a sought-after session musician and was allegedly involved in this time about 200 LP recordings.

In 1926 he joined the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Ellington had hired him because his softer tone well with Bubber Miley's style contrasted. He also had the ability to " stock " arrangements, which formed the main part of the repertoire of the band to play at sight. Metcalf remained until the spring of 1928 in the band and was, as Arthur Whetsol returned. In the 1930s, Metcalf also launched their own formations and played in Fletcher Henderson's band.

In 1946 he moved to Montreal and formed the " International Band" who played an early bebop style. He moved for a few years in the Montreal jazz scene in "Café Saint -Michel " and worked with local musicians like the young Oscar Peterson and by traveling Americans as Art Pepper, Fats Navarro and Sonny Rollins.

Because of a drug offense he had to return to New York City in 1951. He then released an album in 1966 entitled " I've Got The Blues Brother Peace " and had his own formations. After 1968 a disease ended his musical activities; He died in 1981 in Jamaica on Long Iceland.