Albert Snaer
Encyclopedia
Albert Snaer was an American jazz
trumpeter.
Snaer studied with Paul Chaligny in New Orleans early in his life. He worked on riverboat
s on the Mississippi River
in the 1920s, playing in the bands of Fate Marable
, Dewey Jackson
, and George Augustin. With Augustin, he co-led a band called the Moonlight Serenaders. He played in the Excelsior Brass Band
before moving to New York City
in 1928.
In the 1930s Snaer played with Andy Kirk
and Leroy Smith, but spent most of his time as a member of Claude Hopkins
's orchestra. He went into semiretirement in the 1940s, starting up a dry cleaning
business in Connecticut
. He played on some of Sidney Bechet
's recordings in the late 1940s. In the middle of the 1950s he moved to San Francisco, where he played with Big Boy Goudie
. In 1960 it was thought that he had died, and several papers ran obituaries
about him; he did not actually die until 1962.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
trumpeter.
Snaer studied with Paul Chaligny in New Orleans early in his life. He worked on riverboat
Riverboat
A riverboat is a ship built boat designed for inland navigation on lakes, rivers, and artificial waterways. They are generally equipped and outfitted as work boats in one of the carrying trades, for freight or people transport, including luxury units constructed for entertainment enterprises, such...
s on the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
in the 1920s, playing in the bands of Fate Marable
Fate Marable
Fate Marable was a jazz pianist and bandleader.Marable was born in Paducah, Kentucky, and learned piano from his mother. At age 17, he began playing on the steam boats plying the Mississippi River...
, Dewey Jackson
Dewey Jackson
Dewey Jackson was an American jazz trumpeter and cornetist.Jackson began playing professionally at an early age, with the Odd Fellows Boys' Band , Tommy Evans , and George Reynolds's Keystone Band. He played with Charlie Creath on riverboats, and then led his own Golden Melody Band from 1920 to 1923...
, and George Augustin. With Augustin, he co-led a band called the Moonlight Serenaders. He played in the Excelsior Brass Band
Excelsior Brass Band
The Excelsior Brass Band was a brass band from New Orleans. It was one of the earliest recognized brass bands on the New Orleans jazz scene.The Excelsior was founded in 1879 by Théogène Baquet, who led it until 1904; following this it was led by George Moret and then Peter Bocage, who led it from...
before moving to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1928.
In the 1930s Snaer played with Andy Kirk
Andy Kirk
Andrew Dewey Kirk was a jazz saxophonist and tubist best known as a bandleader of the "Twelve Clouds of Joy," popular during the swing era....
and Leroy Smith, but spent most of his time as a member of Claude Hopkins
Claude Hopkins
Claude Driskett Hopkins was an American jazz stride pianist and bandleader.-Biography:Claude Hopkins was born in Alexandria, Virginia in 1903. Historians differ in respect of the actual date of his birth. His parents were on the faculty of Howard University...
's orchestra. He went into semiretirement in the 1940s, starting up a dry cleaning
Dry cleaning
Dry cleaning is any cleaning process for clothing and textiles using a chemical solvent other than water. The solvent used is typically tetrachloroethylene , abbreviated "perc" in the industry and "dry-cleaning fluid" by the public...
business in Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. He played on some of Sidney Bechet
Sidney Bechet
Sidney Bechet was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer.He was one of the first important soloists in jazz , and was perhaps the first notable jazz saxophonist...
's recordings in the late 1940s. In the middle of the 1950s he moved to San Francisco, where he played with Big Boy Goudie
Big Boy Goudie
Frank "Big Boy" Goudie was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and clarinetist.Goudie was born in Youngsville, Louisiana, but raised in New Orleans, where he played cornet in Papa Celestin's Original Tuxedo Band and other groups. As a young man, his great height earned him the nickname "Tree"...
. In 1960 it was thought that he had died, and several papers ran obituaries
Obituary
An obituary is a news article that reports the recent death of a person, typically along with an account of the person's life and information about the upcoming funeral. In large cities and larger newspapers, obituaries are written only for people considered significant...
about him; he did not actually die until 1962.