[Dixielandjazz] Don Gumpert Bio

[Don Gumpert]

Please forgive me for being so presumptuous as to provide Don's bio, he
cannot use a computer!!!  This may be lengthy, most of the information is
from his brochure.
Born 2/25/1931 in St. Louis, the second of seven children.  At age 5, his
parents took him to a picnic where jazz bands were performing and he was
enchanted by the cornet player.  His mother bought him a cheap horn which he
carried around in a paper bag.  The St. Louis Kiwanis club presented him
with a horn and enough money for music lessons for a year.  The music
teacher listened to him and informed Don that he'd not last more than a few
years because he blew so hard he'd ruin his lip.  When people ask him if he
reads music, his standard comment is "not enough to hurt me."  He played his
first professional job at age 11 and joined the Union as soon as it was
legal.  Ironically, some of his nicer nicknames include: Iron Lungs, Leather
Lip.
Don plays a style reminiscent of Wild Bill Davison even though he had been
performing for several years before he heard of and became friends with the
jazz legend.  When Gaslight Square in St. Louis closed, he went to New
Orleans for a few years.  While there, he visited the original Rosie
O'Grady's in Pensacola, Florida for an evening.  In 1968, he started playing
at Rosie's in Pensacola where he continued to perform until his illness
forced him to quit playing a few months ago, his last appearance was May,
2003.
Some of the people he has performed with: Bill Allred, George Brunis, Gary
Church, Kim Cusack, Bob Draga, Ed Erickson, Herman Foretich, Dave Hanson,
Bob Havens, Milt Hinton, Peanuts Hucko, Clyde McCoy, Jim Maihack, Gene Mayl,
Eli Newberger, Paul Smith, Ralph Sutton, the original Dukes of Dixieland and
too many more to mention here.  One of his biggest musical regrets is that
he was never invited to play any of the west coast festivals. When we lived
in Birmingham, Alabama, Maynard Ferguson told the club owner if he had Don,
Maynard wouldn't need anyone else in his horn section...
Proudly,
Sandy Gumpert