Jenkins, Freddy [Freddie] (1906-1978)

Trumpeter; resident at the Jenkins Orphanage and claimed to be related to Reverend Daniel Joseph Jenkins; Freddie was considered a “hot” soloist and crowd pleaser with Duke Ellington’s Orchestra (1928-1934 and 1937-38)) starting a tradition that would later be filled by Rex Stewart, Taft Jordon, Willie Cook, Clark Terry and others – he could be considered the first high-note trumpeter with Ellington, a position that would later be filled by Wallace Jones, Al Killian and Cat Anderson; worked with Luis Russell, Edgar Hayes, Hayes Alvis, Horace Henderson’s Collegians and soloed on “Old Man Blues” in the 1930 film, Check and Double Check; led his own group and recorded for Bluebird in 1935; composed “Stop A-Hoppin’ On Me” made popular by Big Mama Thornton and “Swing Low” with Duke Ellington; in addition to Duke Ellington, he recorded with Johnny Hodges, Barney Bigard and Rex Stewart; but in 1938 with failing lungs, he stopped playing permanently becoming a songwriter, press agent, disc jockey and press correspondent; he was one of the last survivors of Duke Ellington’s Cotton Club Orchestra.

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