- George Brunies
George Brunies, aka Georg Brunis, (
February 6 ,1902 –November 19 ,1974 ) was a well-known earlyjazz trombonist .George Clarence Brunies was born in
New Orleans, Louisiana on February 6, 1902 into a very musical family. His father led a family band, and his brothers Henry, Merritt, Richard, and Albert ("Abbie") all became noted professional musicians. By the age of 8 young George was already playingalto horn professionally inPapa Jack Laine 's band. A few years later he switched totrombone . 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 byRagbaby 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 . Brunies's trombone style was influential to the young Chicago players, and his records were much copied. In this era Brunies was never bested; he could play anything any other trombonist could play as well or better. He would often end battles of the bands or "cutting contests" by outplaying other trombonists while operating the slide with his foot!After the Rhythm Kings broke up in Chicago in 1924, Brunies joined the nationally famous Ted Lewis band, which he played with through 1934.
After some time with
Louis Prima 's band he landed a steady gig at the famousNew York City jazz club "Nick's" through 1938. In 1939 he joinedMuggsy Spanier 's band, with whom he made some of his most famous recordings.The following year he returned to Nick's, where he remained through 1946. Brunies then worked withEddie Condon .In 1949 Brunies moved back to Chicago to lead his own band. 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 a numerologist, he changed his name to Georg Brunis in the 1960s in the belief that this would increase his good
luck .Georg Brunis died in Chicago on November 19, 1974.
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