[Dixielandjazz] Jimmy Knepper - Trombonist

[Stan Brager]

Los Angeles born trombonist Jimmy Knepper has died. The report was published
on the trombone list.

Here's a brief bio written by Scott Yanow:

b. Nov. 22, 1927, Los Angeles, CA
A fine soloist with a distinctive sound not overly influenced by J.J.
Johnson, Jimmy Knepper's plays improvisations that are full of subtle
surprises. He began on trombone when he was nine, started playing
professionally when he was 15 and worked in the big bands of Freddie Slack
(1947), Roy Porter (1948-49), Charlie Spivak (1950-51), Charlie Barnet
(1951), Woody Herman and Claude Thornhill. Knepper gained fame for his
versatile and inventive playing with several of Charles Mingus's groups
(1957-62). He also worked with Stan Kenton (1959), Herbie Mann ( a 1960 tour
of Africa), Gil Evans, Benny Goodman (the 1962 tour of the Soviet Union) and
the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra (1968-74) in addition to playing in the
1970s with the Lee Konitz Nonet and Mingus Dynasty. Knepper's reputation in
the jazz world has remained quite strong although he has not recorded very
often as a leader, cutting sessions for Debut, Bethlehem (both in 1957),
Steeple Chase (1976), Inner City, Black Hawk, Hep, Soul Note and Criss
Cross.
-Scott Yanow

Stan
Stan Brager
Trombonist-in-Training