Roy Eldridge(1911- )
Roy Eldridge played professionally from the age of 16, first with a touring carnival and later with obscure midwestern bands.
In 1933 he started broadcasting over the
radio and supported himself by working as a radio engineer. In 1941, he joined
up with Gene Krupa, and became the first black performer to be accepted as a
permanent member of the brass section of a white big band. After this, Eldridge played
with his own band and then joined up with Artie Shaw's band in 1944. He is most
remembered for his Verve recordings with Coleman Hawkins.
