[Dixielandjazz] Bunny Berigan information

[Julie Flemming]

“Bunny” Berigan, Fox Lake’s Own

 

     Although born at Hilbert, Wisconsin, on November 2, 1908, Bernard “Bunny” Berigan, acclaimed as one of the
most prominent jazz trumpeters of all times and unexcelled for his intricate
embellishments and lip vibrato, is considered Fox Lake’s own.  He
moved to Fox Lake, Wisconsin,  with his
parents, William and Mayme Schlitzberg Berigan, when he was only a few months
old.  In Fox Lake the little family,
consisting of “Bunny’s” brother Donald and parents, were welcomed with open
arms by their parents, relatives and friends. 

     Bunny learned to play the violin first and
then the trumpet.  He also played
alto-horn in his grandfather, John Schlitzberg’s, 14-piece concert band that
played weekly summer concerts in Fox Lake.  While still a
young teenager, “Bunny” was discovered by Merrill Owen of Beaver Dam and he
played with the Merrill Owen Penney Jazz Band for three years.  

     At the end of his sophomore year in the Fox Lake High
  School,
“Bunny” transferred to Madison, Wisconsin and attended Wisconsin High
  School.  In Madison he lived with his widowed grandmother, Mrs. Margaret
Berigan.  Bunny joined a band in which
one of his Uncles played and it was during this time that Hal Kemp heard
“Bunny” and was very impressed.  He
signed “Bunny” up to play with the Kemp Orchestra and leaving from New York, the Orchestra had a successful tour of England and Europe.  During this
tour “Bunny” made his first trumpet solo with a big band.

       Upon his return to the United States, he began to free-lance in New York City,  making public
and radio appearances and recordings.  He
was associated with such great names as Benny Goodman, Paul Whiteman, Tommy
Dorsey, Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Frank Sinatra, Pied Pipers, Eddie Miller, Louis
Armstrong, Big Crosby, Mills Brothers, Mildred Bailey, the Boswell Sisters,
Billie Holiday, Red McKenzie, Red Norvo and Frankie Trumbauer.  Later “Bunny” led his own band which was a
top attraction among “swing” fans.

        “Bunny” died in New York City on June 2, 1942 at the age of 33.  His body was
brought back to Fox Lake, WI., and he is buried in the St. Mary’s Cemetery two
miles south of Fox Lake on Breezy Point Road.

       Materials on this site are found in the
Harriett O’Connell Historical Room in Fox Lake, Wisconsin.  The room is
located in the lower level of the Fox Lake Public Library and appointments for
searching the collection there can be made by calling the Fox Lake Public
Library at 920-928-3223.  A large share
of the material was collected by Bunny’s son-in-law, Ken Hansen and donated to
the Harriett O’Connell Historical Room at the time of his death.

       In 2012 the Bunny Berigan Jazz Jubilee
will be held in Fox Lake, WI., on May 18 – 20. 
This event always includes some of the nation’s best Dixieland and Jazz
artists.  More information on this great
three day event will be coming.