Percy Humphrey

Biography

Percy Humphrey (January 13, 1905 – July 22, 1995) was a celebrated New Orleans jazz trumpeter whose career spanned more than seven decades and embodied the evolution of traditional jazz in his hometown. Born into a distinguished musical family—his grandfather, Professor Jim Humphrey, was a pivotal early jazz educator, and his father, Willie Humphrey Sr., was a clarinetist—Percy began his musical journey on drums before switching to trumpet under his grandfather's tutelage. He gave his first public performance at age six alongside his brother Willie in their grandfather’s band, and by the early 1920s, he was performing professionally with Willie Cornish’s band and later with Kid Howard’s orchestra, even touring as far as Chicago.

The Great Depression forced Humphrey to briefly step away from full-time music, but he returned in the 1940s to lead the Eureka Brass Band, becoming its last leader and recording landmark albums such as 'Jazz at Preservation Hall, Volume 1: The Eureka Brass Band of New Orleans' (1962). He also led his own Crescent City Joymakers and was a founding member and co-leader of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, helping to shape its touring strategy and international reputation from the 1960s onward. Humphrey’s trumpet style was marked by originality and a deep connection to the New Orleans tradition, eschewing showmanship for soulful, melodic improvisation. He continued to perform into his nineties, with his final appearance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 1995, just months before his passing.

Humphrey’s legacy is deeply entwined with the preservation and global dissemination of New Orleans jazz. His leadership in the Eureka Brass Band and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, as well as his collaborations with family and local legends, cemented his role as a bridge between the earliest days of jazz and its modern revival. His influence extended through his family, his bands, and the countless musicians who played alongside him, ensuring the endurance of the New Orleans brass band tradition.

Fun Facts

• Percy Humphrey began his musical career as a drummer before switching to trumpet under his grandfather's guidance.
• He maintained a day job as an insurance agent throughout much of his musical career, even during periods of national recognition.
• Percy’s family is considered one of the most important dynasties in New Orleans jazz, with both his brothers and grandfather being influential musicians.
• He continued performing publicly until just four months before his death at age 90, making him one of the oldest active jazz musicians in New Orleans.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Professor Jim Humphrey - Percy's grandfather and first trumpet teacher, a foundational figure in early New Orleans jazz education (Early family band performances) [1910s-1920s]

Key Collaborators

• Willie Humphrey - Older brother and frequent collaborator in the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Eureka Brass Band, and Crescent City Joymakers (Preservation Hall Jazz Band recordings for CBS, 'Jazz at Preservation Hall, Volume 1', live performances) [1950s-1990s]
• Earl Humphrey - Brother and trombonist, played together in family bands and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band (Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Crescent City Joymakers) [1940s-1971]
• Eureka Brass Band - Percy was the last leader and recorded several classic albums with the band ('Jazz at Preservation Hall, Volume 1: The Eureka Brass Band of New Orleans', 'New Orleans Parade') [1940s-1960s]
• Preservation Hall Jazz Band - Co-leader and original member, central to the band's touring and recording legacy (Multiple CBS recordings, international tours) [1961-1995]
• Crescent City Joymakers - Band leader, recorded and performed with notable New Orleans musicians ('Climax Rag' (1965)) [1960s-1970s]
• George Lewis - Worked and recorded together in the early 1950s (Recordings for Riverside Records' Living Legends series) [1951-1953]
• Sweet Emma Barrett - Performed together at society parties and Bourbon Street gigs (Live performances) [1950s]

Artists Influenced

• Preservation Hall Jazz Band musicians - Mentored and inspired younger generations of New Orleans jazz musicians through leadership and example (Preservation Hall Jazz Band recordings and tours) [1960s-1990s]

Source: Wikipedia

Top Tracks

1. Buzzards Parade (A New Orleans Jazz Party)
2. Closer Walk With Thee / When The Saints Go Marching In (A New Orleans Jazz Party)
3. Wolverine Blues (A New Orleans Jazz Party)
4. 2.19 Blues (A New Orleans Jazz Party)
5. Armand Hug Interview (A New Orleans Jazz Party)
6. Bill Bailey Won't You Please Come Home (A New Orleans Jazz Party)
7. Milenburg Joys (A New Orleans Jazz Party)

Discography

Top Tracks

1. Closer Walk With Thee / When The Saints Go Marching In (A New Orleans Jazz Party)
2. Milenburg Joys (A New Orleans Jazz Party)
3. 2.19 Blues (A New Orleans Jazz Party)
4. Wolverine Blues (A New Orleans Jazz Party)
5. Armand Hug Interview (A New Orleans Jazz Party)
6. Buzzards Parade (A New Orleans Jazz Party)
7. Bill Bailey Won't You Please Come Home (A New Orleans Jazz Party)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia