Worked With:
Walter Thomas,
Benny Payne,
Leroy Maxey,
Keg Johnson,
Milt Hinton,
Shad Collins,
Cozy Cole,
Dizzy Gillespie,
Cab Calloway,
Danny Barker
Formal Connection With:
- Active: '20s, '30s, '40s, '50s, '60s
- Genres: Jazz
- Instrument: Trumpet
Biography
Wright grew up in Kansas City and came of age in the '20s, a time when the city was developing into a center of jazz activity. Wright learned to play while a student at Lincoln High School. He joined Bennie Moten's band at the Panama Club in 1923. He left Moten in 1927 and moved to New York, where he played with the Missourians. Wright stayed with the band after frontman Cab Calloway assumed the leadership prior to its important February 1932 engagement at the Cotton Club. Wright played lead trumpet with Calloway until 1940 and occasionally thereafter. During the '40s, he also played with Don Redman, Lucky Millinder, Cootie Williams, Sy Oliver, and Louis Armstrong. In the '50s and '60s Wright worked in the studios and earned a reputation as a first-rate trumpet teacher. In addition, he worked with saxophonist Arnett Cobb, pianist/bandleader Count Basie, the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra, and pianist George Shearing's big band.Wright was a technically accomplished player with an extensive range, making him a natural lead player. He was influenced early in his career by the New Orleans cornetists, especially King Oliver. Wright's sons Lammar Jr. and Elmon were also accomplished trumpet players; Lammar Jr. played with Lionel Hampton and Charlie Barnett, while Elmon played with Roy Eldridge, Earl Bostic, and Buddy Rich, among others. Both brothers also played with Dizzy Gillespie. ~ Chris Kelsey, All Music Guide
