Thomas Jefferson

One of the finest trumpeters in New Orleans during the 1950s and 60s, Thomas Jefferson played drums and French horn briefly before settling on trumpet. He worked with Oscar Celestin's Tuxedo Orchestra in 1936 and then locally in New Orleans with Sidney Desvignes, Jump Jackson, and others. He recorded in the 1950s with Johnny St. Cyr, Santo Pecora, and George Lewis. Of Jefferson's own infrequent sessions as a leader, a 1960 date for Southland (in which he is just joined by a rhythm section) is definitive and a 1974 session for Storyville is also excellent. Thomas Jefferson's idol has always been Louis Armstrong. ~ Scott Yanow