Biography
Wendell Brunious, born October 27, 1954, in New Orleans, Louisiana, into a prominent Louisiana Creole musical family from the Seventh Ward, began his musical journey early, singing with Chief John and the Mahogany Hall Stompers in the 1960s alongside his father, John 'Picket' Brunious Sr., a Juilliard-trained trumpeter who played with the Onward Brass Band, Young Tuxedo Brass Band, Paul Barbarin, and arranged for Cab Calloway and Billy Eckstine. Starting trumpet at age 11, he played at Paul Barbarin's funeral, studied at Southern University where he performed with Danny Barker, and made his first recording at age 9. By the mid-1970s, Brunious was performing dance music in Bourbon Street clubs, launching the first jazz brunch at Commander's Palace with guitarist Justin Adams, and substituting for his father in Albert 'Papa' French's band during Mardi Gras 1976.
Brunious's career flourished in traditional New Orleans jazz, regularly playing at Preservation Hall from 1979 with Kid Thomas Valentine, whom he succeeded as leader in 1987 after Valentine's death; his brother John Brunious Jr. had previously led the band. He toured with Lionel Hampton in 1981, collaborated with Linda Hopkins (1984), Sammy Rimington (1984), Louis Nelson (1986-89), Eureka Brass Band (1980), and others like Michael White, Chris Barber, Papa Don Vappie, and Bob Wilber. Over a 40+ year career, he built a repertoire of over 1,500 songs spanning Louis Armstrong, Clifford Brown, the Beatles, and Burt Bacharach, also performing with Gladys Knight & the Pips and arranging for horn-heavy bands like Chicago at the Ivanhoe nightclub. In 2023, he was named Preservation Hall's first musical director, continuing as a regular performer into the 2020s.
Renowned for his elegant trumpet style rooted in New Orleans brass band and traditional jazz traditions, Brunious embodies the city's musical heritage, performing with groups like the New Orleans Roof Jazzmen and New Orleans All Stars. His discography as a leader includes In the Tradition (1986), Down in Honky Tonk Town (1996), Wendell Brunious (1998), and Mama Don't Allow It (2003), with sidemen like Louis Nelson and Sammy Rimington. His legacy as a trumpet titan preserves and evolves Creole jazz, influencing generations through family ties and Preservation Hall.
Fun Facts
- At age three and a half, Brunious witnessed Atlantic Records record the original Tuxedo Brass Band featuring his father at their home; he and his sister appear as the two children watching the band on the album Jazz Begins cover, sparking his musical passion.
- His father enforced trumpet playing on all sons, conducting intense Sunday ear-training sessions with complex chords, leading Wendell and his brother John to choose trumpet over leaving home.
- Brunious launched New Orleans' first jazz brunch at Commander's Palace in the mid-1970s with guitarist Justin Adams.
- He performed with his New Orleans All Stars on American Routes, including a jazz rendition of James Brown's 'The Chicken'.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- John 'Picket' Brunious Sr. - father and primary trumpet teacher (family rehearsals, Chief John and the Mahogany Hall Stompers) [1950s-1970s]
- Danny Barker - played with during university studies (Southern University performances) [1970s]
- Kid Thomas Valentine - played with at Preservation Hall, succeeded as bandleader (Preservation Hall performances) [1979-1987]
Key Collaborators
- John Brunious Jr. - brother and fellow Preservation Hall bandleader (Preservation Hall Jazz Band) [1970s-1980s]
- Louis Nelson - trombonist sideman on recordings and performances (In the Tradition (1986), performances 1986-89) [1980s]
- Sammy Rimington - clarinetist sideman on recordings and performances (In the Tradition (1986), performances 1984) [1980s]
- Lionel Hampton - vibraphonist band member during tour (tour and performances)
- Mark Braud - nephew and successor Preservation Hall bandleader (Preservation Hall Jazz Band) [2000s-present]
Artists Influenced
- Mark Braud - nephew who succeeded as Preservation Hall bandleader (Preservation Hall Jazz Band leadership) [2000s-present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Mama Don't Allow It | 2003 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Bugle Boy March (Mama Don't Allow It)
- Mama Don't Allow It (Mama Don't Allow It)
- Climax Rag (Mama Don't Allow It)
- Buddy Bolden's Blues (Mama Don't Allow It)
- Creole Love Call (Mama Don't Allow It)
- Sing On (Mama Don't Allow It)
- I Ate up the Apple Tree (Mama Don't Allow It)
- Down in Honky Tonk Town (Mama Don't Allow It)
- Sweet Lorraine (Mama Don't Allow It)
- Bye and Bye (Mama Don't Allow It)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Wendell Brunious & The New Orleans Roof Jazzmen has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.