George Dixon (trumpeter)
Encyclopedia
Not to be confused with George W. Dixon of The Spinners.
George Dixon (April 8, 1909, New Orleans—August 1, 1994, Chicago
) was an American jazz
trumpeter and multi-instrumentalist.
Although he was born in New Orleans, Dixon moved often as a child with his father, a minister who toured the American South. He began playing violin at age 13 while living in Natchez, Mississippi
, and studied the instrument at Arkansas State College, where he also picked up alto saxophone.
Dixon moved to Chicago
in 1926, where he played with Sammy Stewart
from 1928, including on a tour of New York City
in 1930. Dixon then worked with Earl Hines
throughout the decade of the 1930s. He led a Navy band in Memphis, Tennessee
during World War II
, then played in Chicago with Floyd Campbell, Ted Eggleston, and others. He led his own band at the Circle Inn in the 1940s and early 1950s.
From about the mid-1950s Dixon stopped playing full-time, though he continued to play occasionally up until his death in 1994.
George Dixon (April 8, 1909, New Orleans—August 1, 1994, Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
) was an American jazz
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 and multi-instrumentalist.
Although he was born in New Orleans, Dixon moved often as a child with his father, a minister who toured the American South. He began playing violin at age 13 while living in Natchez, Mississippi
Natchez, Mississippi
Natchez is the county seat of Adams County, Mississippi, United States. With a total population of 18,464 , it is the largest community and the only incorporated municipality within Adams County...
, and studied the instrument at Arkansas State College, where he also picked up alto saxophone.
Dixon moved to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
in 1926, where he played with Sammy Stewart
Sammy Stewart
Samuel Lee "Sammy" Stewart , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1978-1987. He attended Owen High School in Asheville and Montreat College, and signed his first pro contract with the Baltimore Orioles in 1975...
from 1928, including on a tour of 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 1930. Dixon then worked with Earl Hines
Earl Hines
Earl Kenneth Hines, universally known as Earl "Fatha" Hines, was an American jazz pianist. Hines was one of the most influential figures in the development of modern jazz piano and, according to one source, is "one of a small number of pianists whose playing shaped the history of jazz".-Early...
throughout the decade of the 1930s. He led a Navy band in Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, then played in Chicago with Floyd Campbell, Ted Eggleston, and others. He led his own band at the Circle Inn in the 1940s and early 1950s.
From about the mid-1950s Dixon stopped playing full-time, though he continued to play occasionally up until his death in 1994.