Clyde Hurley

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Clyde Hurley was a trumpeter during the big band era. He was born on September 3, 1916 in Fort Worth, Texas. Scott Yanow describes Hurley as "a(n excellent) trumpeter with a fat tone and a hard-driving style." He died on August 15, 1963 in Fort Worth.

Self taught, he learned to play the trumpet by playing along with Louis Armstrong records. He began his career working with territory bands. In 1937, Hurley joined Ben Pollack’s band. After a while with Pollack, Hurley became a studio musician in Los Angeles. Hurley was playing with Paul Whiteman when Glenn Miller sent for him to join the Miller band on its Glen Island Casino opening in May 1939.

During the time he was with Miller, Hurley was one of the key soloists. He appeared on the bands studio recordings and live performances throughout America, including Carnegie Hall, Cafe Rouge in Hotel Pennsylvania and the Paramount Theatre, New York. He shared trumpet solo honours with John Best - Hurley taking the "hot" solos - Best taking the rest. Hurley played the trumpet solo on Glenn Miller’s "In The Mood", "Slip Horn Jive" and "Tuxedo Junction." After a difference of opinion with Miller over the style of music the band was playing, Hurley left Miller in May 1940 to work with Tommy Dorsey and then joined Artie Shaw in 1941.

After his stint with Shaw, he did freelance work for the movie studios. He worked for MGM from 1944 to 1949 and for NBC from 1950 to 1955. During the late 1950s, Hurley played in Dixieland groups, recording with Matty Matlock’s Rampart Street Paraders. In 1954, he recorded live with Ralph Sutton and Edmond Hall at the Club Hangover. His studio work in the 1950s included sessions with Paul Weston. He played solo on "Memories of You" on Weston's "Solo Flight" album.

References

• ARTIST Direct biography of Clyde Hurley, written by Scott Yanow, Allmusic.
• Big Band Database Plus: Born On This Day - September 3. Calendar editor: Ron Hearn. 1979-2005. Last Updated August 20, 2005.

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