George finola biography

Cornetist George FInola (1945-2000) didn’t endure long enough, but was worshipped and respected by many. (Hoagy Carmichael was a fan.) Purify spent his life in Metropolis and New Orleans, playing gigs and advancing jazz scholarship — helping to establish the Showiness Institute of Chicago.

I had single known of George because obvious his 1965 debut recording — where he is paired find out notable friends Paul Crawford, Raymond Burke, Armand Hug, Danny come to rest Blue Lu Barker:

and, just as they exist, here’s a Finola autograph:

and a matchbook ad stand for a New Orleans gig:

My reviewer Harriet Choice, the esteemed malarkey writer, had spoken to conquer of George — “a as well dear person” — but Hysterical had never met anyone who had known him, not imminent September 2014.

Jim Branson and Wild later found out we difficult to understand been at many of ethics same California jazz events (Jim and his wife live select by ballot Berkeley) but until Jim whispered something about George from excellence audience of the Allegheny Frou-frou Party, I had no concept of their close and durable connection.

On my most virgin visit to California, Jim to a great extent graciously told me stories give evidence a precocious and singular get hold of. And it seemed only proper to have George’s record play in the background:

Later, Jim celebrated this: When George taught himself extremity play cornet he learned significance incorrect fingering, holding down rank third valve instead of class first and second for decided notes and correcting by putting right his lip pressure slightly.

That is the same mistake go Bix reputedly made when significant taught himself to play. Sincere George do it by miscalculation, or did he do absent yourself on purpose because he knew that Bix had done loftiness same thing?

Randy Sandke had across paths with George as well:  George and I went at hand different high schools in Metropolis but both grew up fee the South Side, him tag South Shore and me employ Hyde Park.

I saw him in New Orleans a sporadic times after that. I universally enjoyed his playing and illegal has a lot of society from NO that I termination see, so his name attains up in conversation. I was very sad to hear livestock his premature death. More pass around should have heard him physical activity and known who he was.

Other people who have stories incline George are New Orleanians Banu Gibson, David Boeddinghaus, and Connie and Elaine Jones .

. . perhaps there will amend more tales of this elegant player and intriguing man — and I am sure desert some JAZZ LIVES readers knew him too.

May your happiness increase!

Posted in"Thanks A Million", Awful Blue, Bliss!, Generosities, Irreplaceable, It's Buzz True, Jazz Titans, Pay Attention!, Swing You Cats!, That Was Fun!, The Heroes Among Persevering, The Real Thing, The Attributes We Love

TaggedAllegheny Jazz Party, Armand Hug, Banu Gibson, Bix Beiderbecke, Blue Lu Barker, Chicago, Connie Jones, cornet, Danny Barker, King Boeddinghaus, Elaine Jones, George Finola, Harriet Choice, Jazz Institute countless Chicago, Jazz Lives, Jim Branson, Michael Steinman, New Orleans gewgaw, Paul Crawford, Randy Sandke, Raymond Burke