|    

Letman, “Johnny” John (1917-1992)

Trumpeter; born in McCormick, SC; studied trumpet and mellophone in Chicago; played with the Nat Cole combo(1938), Horace Henderson and Red Saunders (1941-42); worked with Teddy Buckner and John Kirby in Detroit; settled in New York in 1944 and played with the Phil Moore Four at Café Society, Lucky Millinder (1945), Cab Calloway (1947-49), and Count Basie (1951); he headed his own combo and recorded with Joe Thomas, Stuff Smith, Chubby Jackson and Panama Francis (1958-60); he free-lanced in the 1950s-1960s and was active in television and on Broadway; as a bandleader, he recorded four titles between 1959 and 1968 including Black and Blue; he made a few recordings in Paris (1968), and with Lionel Hampton, Cozy Cole and Earl “Fatha” Hines (1977); his New Orleans Blues Serenaders toured Europe (1985-86).

Image Gallery

Selected Albums

HOME | ABOUT | MUSICIANS | COLLECTION | EVENTS | NEWS | PROJECTS | SHOP | CONTACT        all images © CJI /CofC unless noted

Charleston Jazz Initiative
c/o Arts Management Program
School of the Arts, College of Charleston
66 George Street, Charleston, SC 29424
843-953-5474 (phone)
843-953-7068 (fax)
email »